SAN ANTONIO — The top overall seed Auburn (32-5) will face fellow one-seed Florida (34-4) in the Final Four on Saturday evening in San Antonio. Nearly two months ago, the Gators entered Neville Arena and took down the top-ranked Tigers behind a strong performance from star guard Walter Clayton Jr. and perhaps more surprising, their front court. If the Tigers hope to avenge that loss and secure a spot in the National Championship it will start with winning the battle in front court.
Auburn’s front court, led by SEC player of the year Johni Broome, is arguably the team's biggest strength. Few teams' front courts have challenged, much less beaten, Auburn’s front court this season, but in February’s matchup, Florida’s bigs outplayed Auburn.
Forward Alex Condon scored 17 points on 7-10 shooting. Forward Thomas Haugh scored 16 points and shot 7-8 from the free-throw line. Florida’s bigs also gave Auburn issues on the defensive end. Johni Broome scored 18 points but was inefficient, shooting 8-19 from the field.
Auburn’s bigs know they will have to be better on Saturday if they want to advance to the National Championship, but the matchup won’t be any easier this time around. Since the previous matchup, Florida big Micah Handlogten returned from injury giving the Gators another talented player for Auburn to contend with.
“They have five bigs that they rotate, Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl said. “Right now we're rotating three.”
Despite Florida’s depth advantage over Auburn, the Tigers have the best big in the country in Johni Broome. Broome was still recovering from his ankle sprain that he suffered against South Carolina when the Tigers faced the Gators in the first matchup. While Broome wouldn’t use that as an excuse for his performance he feels he is healthier now. Auburn will need its star at his best to beat Florida.
As good as Johni Broome is he can’t carry the load all by himself. Auburn has to have strong performances from Dylan Cardwell and Chaney Johnson too. Johnson was one of the few bright spots for Auburn in the first matchup scoring 13 points on 6-9 from the field. A similar performance on Saturday could help propel Auburn to a victory.
Another positive from the first matchup Auburn hopes to carry over is rebounding. The Tigers have rebounded well so far in the NCAA Tournament and they tied the Gators in total rebounds and secured more offensive rebounds than Florida in the previous game. Auburn came down with 15 offensive rebounds leading to 70 total field goals and 21 second-chance points.
“I think in a sense we stepped up with our physicality, we competed very well on the boards, been really good on the offensive glass,” Pearl said. “We've been able to win those matchups in four games.”
The guards get most of the attention and slowing down Walter Clayton Jr. will be vital to Auburn’s success Saturday, but the game might be won and lost down low. Can Auburn’s trio of Broome, Cardwell, and Johnson outplay Florida’s quartet of bigs? If they can Auburn might secure itself a spot in the National Championship game on Monday night.
The tip-off for Saturday’s game is set for 5:09 p.m. CT on the Auburn Sports Network and CBS.
