Auburn’s Stunning Victory Over Michigan State Secures Rare Final Four Spot in March Madness

ATLANTA — Johni Broome, Auburn’s standout forward, celebrated the team’s Elite Eight victory with his injured right arm wrapped but still climbed up to cut down the net, proudly wearing it like a necklace around his neck.

Broome delivered a fantastic performance, scoring 25 points and grabbing 14 rebounds. Auburn dominated the first half, unleashing a 17-point run to defeat Michigan State 70-64, marking a clean sweep of all No. 1 seeds advancing to the Final Four.

“You talk about delivering at the biggest moments,” remarked Auburn’s coach Bruce Pearl about Broome’s key plays.

This victory was significant for Auburn, bringing their record to 32-5 and securing their second trip to the Final Four. Michigan State, on the other hand, ended their season at 30-7, falling short of sending coach Tom Izzo to his ninth national semifinal. Pearl previously led Auburn to its only Final Four appearance in 2019.

Auburn, the No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament, is now set to face Florida, who overcame Texas Tech 84-79 in the West Region final. Both teams belong to the Southeastern Conference (SEC), making for an exciting semifinal showdown in San Antonio.

Broome had a scary moment during the game when he fell hard while trying to block a shot, leading to a brief exit. Fortunately, he returned to the court after undergoing a quick examination and opened the second half with a 3-pointer, earning cheers from the supporters. “It was a scary moment. My team had my back,” Broome said, relieved to have been given the all-clear by the team doctor.

Jaxon Kohler led the Spartans with 17 points, while Jaden Akins added 15. Despite their efforts, Michigan State struggled to recover from Auburn’s powerful 17-0 run during the first half, which put them in a hole they couldn’t climb out of.

Interestingly, this year marks the first time since 2008 that all No. 1 seeds have reached the Final Four, highlighting the selection committee’s apparent success. “This shows they did a great job,” Izzo noted, emphasizing the strength and talent of the teams that made it this far.

Reflecting on his long coaching career, Izzo expressed pride in his team’s spirit and teamwork, stating, “For my 30th year as coach, I’ve never been prouder of a team.” Despite the loss, the camaraderie built this season is something the Spartans will carry with them forward.

For fans who want to catch more March Madness action, streaming services like DIRECTV Stream and Hulu + Live TV are available with extensive coverage and free trials.

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