Through seven games, the No. 3 Auburn Tigers have proven themselves to be one of the best teams in college basketball.
Auburn is 7-0 overall, 2-0 against top five teams and 3-0 against top 25 teams. The Tigers were also crowned Maui Invitational champions after going 3-0 against NCAA Tournament competition. Bruce Pearl’s team played well as a team, but one player is in the running for national player of the year, ESPN’s Jay Williams said.
Even though it’s still November, Williams says it’s not too early to enter Auburn forward Johni Broome’s name into Player of the Year discussions after his exceptional performances against top talents.
“I know talking about the National Player of the Year award before Thanksgiving is like talking about the Heisman in August, but I don’t care. (Broome), against three Top 15 opponents – North Carolina, Houston, Iowa State – averages 21 points per game, 13 rebounds on 57% shooting. So far in the first half (against Memphis), 15 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and three blocks.”
Broome’s stats against three top 15 teams are astonishing, but the most spectacular aspect of their season so far is their ability to surpass their previous performances. In seven games, Broome reached the 20-point mark five times and recorded five double-doubles.
Broome also achieved his goal of reaching a double-double before halftime of Auburn’s final two games of the Maui Invitational, en route to a 23-point, 19-rebound effort against. North Carolina and a 21-point, 16-rebound game against Memphis. The senior earned Maui Invitational MVP honors after averaging 21.6 points, 15 rebounds and 4.3 assists in Auburn’s three games at the tournament.
Broome will look to become more involved in the Player of the Year discussions on Wednesday, Dec. 4, when the Auburn Tigers travel to Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, North Carolina, to take on No. 10. Duke in the ACC-SEC Challenge.
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This article was originally published on Auburn Wire: Johni Broome ‘leading’ player of the year conversation, says ESPN analyst
