Auburn’s season opener is upon us, and the Tigers are poised to have a great season.
The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie listed freshman guard Aden Holloway as one of college basketball’s top freshmen to watch heading into the season. Vecenie also believes that there is another member of Auburn’s roster that is worth keeping an eye on.
[autotag]Johni Broome[/autotag] had a stellar campaign in his initial season on the Plains following his transfer from Morehead State. Broome started in all 33 of Auburn’s games last season and averaged 14.2 points and 8.4 rebounds per game. His efforts earned him a spot on the All-SEC second team, and he was included in the Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year watchlist.
His incredible debut season brings high expectations into the 2023-24 slate. Vecenie has included Broome in his Top 20 college basketball bigs for 2023-24 rankings, placing him at No. 9. Vecenie predicts that Broome will be a key part in making Auburn a top-10 defense this season.
A second-team All-SEC player, Broome improved throughout the season after a bit of a slow start following a transfer from Morehead State. But in his final 16 games, Broome was one of the best bigs in the SEC, averaging 16.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks while shooting nearly 56 percent from 3. Then he followed it up with a killer offseason, turning in great performances at both the G League Elite Camp and the NBA Draft Combine before deciding to return to school. Broome is a sharp rim protector and a more mobile defender than he gets credit for, allowing Bruce Pearl to play a variety of coverages. I’m betting Broome ends up in that 16 points and 10 rebounds range while also anchoring what has a chance to be a top-10 defense in the country. And with Aden Holloway entering the fold, Broome might even find some easier shots running in ball screens with the dynamic lead.
The Tigers will not play a top 20 center this season according to Vecenie’s list, but will see several bigs that are up-and-coming such as Arkansas‘ Trevon Brazile, Alabama‘s Grant Nelson, and Kentucky’s Ugonna Onyenso.
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