Film Room: Johni Broome's Elite Eight was pure cinema
Even before his now-famous one-armed rebound + dagger 3, Auburn's All-American had already crafted a legendary performance.
“This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend.”
— Maxwell Scott, THE MAN WHO SHOT LIBERTY VALANCE (1962)
ATLANTA — All it takes to show that Johni Broome will go down as one of the best players in Auburn basketball history — if not college basketball history — are cold, hard numbers.
Broome now stands as one of just four players in NCAA men’s college basketball history to record 2,500 points and 1,500 rebounds in a career. The last man to do that finished playing in 1968.
While some critics will point out that Broome got there in five seasons instead of the traditional four, just remember that this era of college basketball has been filled with five-year players — and none of them have reached those marks.
Broome is ninth all-time in Division I history in career offensive rebounds. He is fifth in defensive rebounds. He is second in 2-point field goals made. When it comes to the advanced statistics, Broome is No. 11 in total win shares, No. 19 in Player Efficiency Rating and No. 14 in estimated points produced.
History will remember Broome as the 2025 SEC Player of the Year. He’s a unanimous All-American. He’s won a National Player of the Year award, and he could win more by the end of the week. If you just looked at this season alone, Broome has accomplished what only a very select few in college basketball history have done.
And, if you just looked at this last game alone, Broome’s production alone put him in exclusive and legendary company.
In Auburn’s win over Michigan State on Sunday, Broome became the first player to record at least 25 points and 10 rebounds while shooting 75% or better from the field in an Elite Eight game since Hakeem Olajuwon in 1984. And “The Dream” is, conservatively, one of the top 50 basketball players to ever walk the face of the earth.
But sports are more about the moments than the math.
As time passes, fans might forget just how statistically dominant Johni Broome was against Michigan State as Auburn secured its second-ever Final Four berth.
But those who watched it live will never forget the moment: The moment he shook off a frightening elbow injury in mere minutes, grabbed a critical rebound with one arm, and then drilled a dagger 3-pointer on the other end of the floor.
“At that moment, I just wanted to help my teammates,” Broome said. “If that's coming back out and playing and hitting one shot and grabbing the rebound, I was going to do it.”
There’s no better word to describe Broome against Michigan State than cinematic.
With all the make-or-break, do-or-die pressure in a game that could get his team to college basketball’s biggest stage — or be the final scene in a legendary career — Auburn’s leading man stepped up and delivered a performance for the ages.
The hard work, the rising action, the stakes — all of it built toward a Hollywood ending.
“You couldn't have scripted it better,” teammate and fellow center Dylan Cardwell said. “I hope he gets a 30 For 30 from that shot alone.”
The story of Broome leading Auburn out West to San Antonio, that famous cowboy city, has been the stuff of legend.
But the fact of the game tape is compelling enough to be worth printing, too.
In this special edition of the Film Room, let’s take a closer look at how Broome dominated Michigan State, long before his now-famous jog out of the tunnel.
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Horns + Iverson + Rip + Punch on the First Possession
Cardwell wins the opening tip for Auburn, and the Tigers immediately flow into their Horns Iverson set.
“Horns” is the set formation — Broome and Cardwell are positioned on opposite high posts, standing a step above the elbows. “Iverson” refers to the type of cut that Chad Baker-Mazara makes from the right wing to the left wing, moving above the cross screens from Broome and Cardwell.
Now it’s time for Rip and Punch.
“Rip” is the back-screen Miles Kelly sets for Broome after he cuts from the left corner to the right elbow. “Punch” refers to Broome’s post-up after slicing diagonally from the right wing to the left mid-post.
Put it all together — Horns Iverson Rip Punch — and Auburn’s opening action unfolds with precision, throwing Michigan State’s defense into disarray.
First, watch how Michigan State reacts to Kelly lifting from the screen to the three-point line. Both off-ball guards step toward him, a natural response given Auburn’s tendency to script an early three-point look for Kelly.
With both guards reacting to Kelly’s lift to the top of the key, Denver Jones finds himself absolutely wide open on the right wing before a very late switch is made. Cardwell is also momentarily open for a lob as he breaks from his spot to rim-run.
But what better option is there than letting the All-American go to work?
Broome gets the ball exactly where he wants it — left mid-post, back to the basket, one-on-one. The Spartans decide to leave Jaxon Kohler on an island, for some strange reason.
Two backdown dribbles to the left block. A drop-step. A bucket off the glass.
The first Punch lands. And it’s a strong left hook.