Bruce Pearl stood on the ladder, scissors in hand, soaking in the moment as he cut down the net. Auburn had just punched its ticket to the Final Four after a gritty 70-64 win over Michigan State in the South Regional final. The celebration was well-earned. Auburn set the tone early with a blistering 17-0 run, forcing Michigan State to play from behind the rest of the way. But even in the midst of the victory, there was an air of caution.

Yes, the Tigers have momentum, but the road ahead isn’t getting any easier. A rematch with Florida looms in the Final Four, and Auburn knows exactly how dangerous the Gators can be. When these teams met in February, Florida stunned Auburn on its home floor with a 90-81 victory. They dictated the pace, locked down Auburn’s perimeter shooters, and played with an attack-first mentality that the Tigers struggled to counter.

Auburn forward Chaney Johnson summed it up best after the Michigan State win. When asked about the upcoming showdown with Florida, he didn’t sound overconfident. “Florida has a great team. They were good enough to beat us at home, so we’ve just got to go game by game,” Johnson said. “It’s another team in the way of us getting to the National Championship. We’ve just got to continue putting our head down, continue staying humble, continue staying hungry. Just go out there and play with great effort and great energy.”

But effort alone won’t be enough. Pearl’s squad thrives on depth and defensive intensity, yet there’s a glaring reality Auburn can’t ignore—Johni Broome needs to be at his best, both physically and mentally, for the Tigers to keep dancing.

Broome has been the heart of Auburn’s attack, but his matchup with Florida’s imposing frontcourt presents a psychological challenge as much as a physical one. In their last meeting, he struggled to find his rhythm, and Florida’s aggressive doubles forced him into uncomfortable decisions. Auburn’s success hinges on his ability to respond. Pearl has emphasized all season that this team is built to withstand adversity, but Broome’s confidence will be a determining factor in whether they survive.

Pearl has built his roster with adaptability in mind, ensuring Auburn can adjust to different styles of play depending on the opponent. Depth is Auburn’s calling card—players like Denver Jones and Tre Donaldson have stepped up in big moments, giving the Tigers multiple offensive options. But against Florida, it’s not just about scoring. Auburn has to control the pace, dictate matchups, and avoid the scoring droughts that plagued them in their earlier loss.

On the other sideline, Todd Golden isn’t just coaching a talented Florida team—he’s pressing every strategic advantage. His ability to make in-game adjustments has been a difference-maker throughout the season. In February, his defensive scheme neutralized Auburn’s transition attack, forcing them into half-court sets where they looked out of sync. If Golden dictates the tempo again, Auburn could find itself in another uphill battle.

This isn’t just a Final Four game—it’s a chance for Auburn to prove they’ve learned from their mistakes. The Tigers have spent the season crafting a backup plan for moments like this, but execution will determine if it’s enough.

The biggest question still for Auburn? How they’ll adjust without Johni Broome if his injury takes a serious turn. The star big man has been their anchor all season, and now Bruce Pearl has to lean on his depth. Though the Tigers have already shown they can adjust on the fly. When Broome went down against Michigan State, Auburn’s frontcourt depth stepped up. If Broome isn’t at full strength, they’ll need that same next-man-up mentality against Florida.

Bruce Pearl’s Adjustments Lift Auburn to Final Four

Auburn’s Elite Eight showdown against Michigan State was a battle of grit and resilience. The Tigers fought through injuries, foul trouble, and relentless pressure from the Spartans to secure a hard-fought win and punch their ticket to the Final Four.

The game took a scary turn at the 10:47 mark of the second half when Auburn star Johni Broome went down with an apparent elbow and leg injury. Broome had already been dealing with a wrist issue, and now, Auburn’s most dominant big man was heading to the locker room.

With Broome out, all eyes were on Auburn’s depth, particularly Chaney Johnson and Dylan Cardwell, to step up.

Michigan State sensed an opening, attacking the paint and trying to take advantage of Auburn’s temporary weakness. But Bruce Pearl had a plan. “Chaney and Dylan can obviously do what needs to be done on the defensive end and rebounding,” Pearl said postgame. His confidence in his players paid off, as they held their ground and kept Michigan State from taking control.

Pearl also managed the game smartly. He used timeouts to give his big men quick breaks, keeping them fresh for key moments. Instead of shaking up the rotation, he stuck with his core guys, trusting them to execute. He even considered calling a timeout if Broome couldn’t return, knowing how important those moments were. “If Johni had not come out, I probably would have just called a timeout,” Pearl admitted.

At the 5:29 mark, Broome returned to the game, still favoring his left arm. But he made an immediate impact—grabbing a key rebound, knocking down a clutch three-pointer, and bringing energy back to the floor.

Auburn’s defensive intensity, discipline, and Pearl’s quick adjustments made the difference. The Tigers didn’t just survive without Broome—they stayed strong, proving they had the depth and toughness to fight through adversity. Until there’s confirmation on Broome’s status, Auburn must prepare for every possibility.