ATLANTA (AP) — Johni Broome held his injured proper arm by most of Auburn’s Elite Eight postgame celebration.
That didn’t hold the star ahead from climbing a ladder to cut down the net he then wore round his neck.
Broome had 25 factors and 14 rebounds and Auburn took command with 17 unanswered factors within the first half to beat Michigan State 70-64 on Sunday and full a sweep of No. 1 seeds advancing to the Remaining 4.
“You discuss delivering once more on the largest moments,” Auburn coach Bruce Pearl stated of Broome.
Auburn (32-5) earned its second Remaining 4 journey, whereas Michigan State (30-7) fell quick in its bid to ship coach Tom Izzo to his ninth nationwide semifinal. Pearl additionally led Auburn to its solely earlier Remaining 4 look, in 2019.
The South Area champion Tigers, the highest general seed within the NCAA Match, grew to become the final of the No. 1 seeds to advance to the Remaining 4 — becoming a member of Florida, Duke and Houston.
Auburn will face Florida, which beat Texas Tech 84-79 within the West Area ultimate, in an all-Southeastern Convention semifinal on Saturday in San Antonio.
“Sadly there’ll solely be one SEC crew taking part in for the nationwide championship,” Pearl stated, additionally sporting a internet round his neck.
Jaxon Kohler led the Spartans with 17 factors and 11 rebounds. Jaden Akins had 15 factors.
Broome fell on his right arm whereas making an attempt to dam a shot with 10:37 remaining and left the sport. He was escorted to the locker room for a fast examination. Broome, the Related Press SEC participant of the yr and a first-team All-America choice, appeared to harm his proper elbow on the autumn.
Broome returned with 5:29 remaining, drawing an instantaneous ovation from Auburn followers. He had the elbow wrapped and sank a 3-pointer lower than a minute later. He additionally grabbed a rebound with one hand.
“It was a scary second,” Broome stated. “I went down however my crew had my again.”
Broome stated he was advised by a crew physician “nothing critical” was unsuitable with the elbow, which appeared to bend at an unpleasant angle on his fall.
“I guess he’ll be sore tomorrow,” Pearl stated.
Broome made 10 of 13 photographs from the sphere, together with every of his two 3-pointers.
“That’s why he’s an All-American,” Izzo stated. “That’s why he’s a participant of the yr candidate. Did a hell of a job. … We did a lot of the issues we needed to do besides guard Broome a bit of higher.”
Auburn was the one Elite Eight crew to win every of its first three March Insanity video games by double digits, together with its 78-65 Sweet 16 victory over Michigan. Michigan State rallied for a 73-70 win over Mississippi within the Candy 16.
The Spartans led 8-6 earlier than the Tigers took command with the 17-0 run. The Spartans had been held scoreless for five:46 whereas lacking 10 consecutive photographs through the Auburn run.
A 3-pointer by Broome capped the run for a 23-8 lead.
Auburn led 33-24 at halftime. The Spartans pulled inside 5 factors at 35-30 early within the second half however received no nearer.
Prime seeds — and choice committee — shine
It’s the primary time all high seeds have reached the Remaining 4 since 2008, which was the one earlier yr of all No. 1-seeded semifinalists since seeding started in 1979. And better-seeded groups went 12-0 in regional semifinals and finals for the primary time because the match expanded in 1985.
“Which means the those that get the criticism … the choice committee, will need to have finished a rattling good job,” Izzo stated.
Added Pearl: “I feel the 4 groups that superior are the 4 greatest groups within the nation and that doesn’t all the time occur.”
Pleasure within the Spartans
Izzo, who received the 2000 nationwide championship and was taking part in his twenty seventh consecutive NCAA Match with Michigan State, stated he was happy with his gamers’ “connectivity and camaraderie.”
“For the thirtieth yr (as coach), I don’t know if I’ve ever been prouder of a crew,” the 70-year-old Izzo stated. “It was a tear-jerking locker room as a result of they knew they spilled all of it and but we began off poorly. … We simply couldn’t recuperate from that 17-0 run.”
Takeaways
Michigan State: Coen Carr, who acquired his first career start in opposition to Ole Miss, was again within the lineup in opposition to the Tigers. The ahead, a local of Stockbridge close to Atlanta, earned the nod after scoring 15 factors in opposition to the Rebels, whereas 7-foot heart Szymon Zapala, usually a starter, returned in a reserve function in opposition to Auburn after not taking part in in opposition to Ole Miss. Carr scored 4 factors in opposition to Auburn whereas Zapala had two factors in 14 minutes.
Auburn: Miles Kelly had three discipline targets within the 17-0 run. After making back-to-back jumpers to start out the run, Kelly added a steal and 3-pointer. He completed with eight factors. Tahaad Pettiford scored 10.
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