Auburn's Bruce Pearl says Johni Broome is the National Player of the Year. So far. | Zagsblog
Recent Posts
About ZagsBlog
Adam Zagoria covers basketball at all levels. He is the author of two books and an award-winning journalist whose articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Sports Illustrated, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide.
Follow Zags on Twitter
Couldn't connect with Twitter
Contact Zags
Connect with Zags:
Tuesday / December 3.
  • Auburn’s Bruce Pearl says Johni Broome is the National Player of the Year. So far.

    Share Zagsblog Share Zagsblog
    By ADAM ZAGORIA

    Auburn senior forward Johni Broome might be the best player on the best college basketball team in the nation right now.

    And head coach Bruce Pearl says he should be in the mix for National Player of the Year.

    The 6-foot-10 senior forward was named the Maui Invitational tournament MVP after recording a second straight double-double by halftime, finishing with 21 points, 16 rebounds, six assists and four blocked shots as No. 4 Auburn overpowered Memphis to win the Maui Invitational championship game 90-76 Wednesday at Lahaina Civic Center.

    “I’ve always believed that the best player on the best team should be the MVP,” Pearl told ESPN’s Jay Bilas and Dan Shulman.

    “And if our team continues to play well, he is absolutely in the conversation for Player of the Year. He effects the game on both ends. He’s in the best shape of his life, and so he’s able to play way more minutes, and we don’t take a ton of possessions off.

    Broome dominated in Maui, playing 101 minutes in fewer than 48 hours, registering three triple-doubles, averaging 21.7 points, 15 rebounds, 4.3 assists and three blocks per tournament game.

    “I trust the guys around me,” Broome said. “I don’t mind having 10 assists. If they want to keep double teaming me, that’s fine.”

    He added: “We played tremendous defense and tremendous basketball against great opponents. Our word this year was sacrifice, taking care of your body, not being up too late, getting to things on time. All those things help win championships.  These last two days, we’ve shown how committed we are to each other because we see how good we can be.”

    Auburn (7-0) is ranked No. 1 on KenPom and owns wins at No. 4 Houston, over No. 5 Iowa State on a neutral floor and now over Memphis in the Maui championship game.

    With No. 2 UConn losing twice and No. 3 Gonzaga falling to West Virginia, Auburn should move up to at least No. 2 on Monday.

    Photo: Andy Katz

    Follow Adam Zagoria on Twitter

    Follow ZAGSBLOGHoops on Instagram

    And Like ZAGS on Facebook

    Written by

    [email protected]

    Adam Zagoria is a Basketball Insider who covers basketball at all levels. A contributor to The New York Times and SportsNet New York (SNY), he is also the author of two books and is an award-winning journalist and filmmaker. His articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide. He also won an Emmy award for his work on the SNY mini-documentary on Syracuse guard Tyus Battle. A veteran Ultimate Frisbee player, he has competed in numerous National and World Championships and, perhaps more importantly, his teams won the Westchester Summer League (WSL) championships in 2011 and 2013. He lives in Manhattan with his wife and children.

  • } });
    X