Michigan State’s NCAA Tournament run ended Sunday after a tough 70-64 loss to top-seeded Auburn in the South Regional Final at State Farm Arena. But the real drama wasn’t just the game—it was Johni Broome’s scary fall and what happened next.

In the second half, Broome went down hard, grabbing his leg in pain. He had to leave the floor, heading straight to the locker room. It looked like he was done for the night. Even as he spoke to teammates, the vibe was clear—Auburn had just lost a key player at the worst time. Then, out of nowhere, Broome came back.

The reason? Bruce Pearl. When asked about it, the Auburn coach kept it real. “I didn’t get any diagnosis. When Johni came out of the locker room, I hadn’t talked to the doctor, but I just asked him, ‘Are you good to go?’ He said, ‘I am.’ I said, ‘Well, get your ass in there.’”

That’s right—without medical clearance, Pearl sent his star player back onto the court. And Broome responded in a big way. Just minutes after returning, he drilled a clutch three-pointer, sending Auburn’s lead into double digits. He finished with a monster 25-point, 14-rebound performance, sealing the Tigers’ trip to the Final Four.

Broome was one of just two Auburn players to hit double figures in the win. Tahaad Pettiford added 10 points off the bench. Jaxon Kohler led Michigan State with 17 points and 11 rebounds, while Jaden Akins added 15 points. Auburn opened the game on a 23-8 run while holding Michigan State without a field goal for nearly six full minutes to take control early. The Tigers then held on late to pick up the six-point win.

But the decision to put Broome back in raises serious questions. What if the injury had been worse? Should a coach have the final say over a player’s health in the heat of the moment? “We won’t really know until tomorrow what that was,” Pearl admitted postgame. “Whether it’s a slight hyperextension or whatever it was. Obviously, the doctors were able to examine it and determine there was no damage. I bet you it will be pretty sore tomorrow, though.”

Broome, for his part, had no regrets. “It was a scary moment. I went down, but my team had my back,” he said. “I came back, did whatever it takes to help my team win.”

As Auburn gears up for a Final Four showdown with Florida, Broome’s health will be a major storyline. But Pearl’s coaching style—his urgency, his bold decisions—is also in the spotlight. Pearl’s approach is now raising eyebrows—was Broome really okay to play, or was this a risky move? Either way, Auburn’s season rolls on, and with the transfer portal in play, big roster changes could be coming soon..

Bruce Pearl: Balancing a transfer portal

The NCAA Transfer Portal has completely reshaped college basketball. Since opening on March 24, over 1,000 players have entered, forcing teams to juggle tournament play while planning for next season. Auburn is no exception. Bruce Pearl has always built his teams by blending experienced returners with key transfers. He sees both as essential to Auburn’s success, with long-time players like Dylan Cardwell and Chris Moore providing stability while newcomers from the portal add fresh talent. “Both are important,” Pearl said. “We’ve got a strong foundation.”

This season’s roster proves his strategy. Auburn brought in players like Chaney Johnson, Denver Jones, and Chad Baker-Mazara—guys willing to buy into the program and contribute immediately. Pearl remains committed to a mix of high school recruits and transfers, ensuring Auburn’s culture stays strong.

So far, Auburn hasn’t lost any players to the portal, but Pearl expects that to change. While his staff stays in touch with prospects, his focus is on finishing the season strong. “Hopefully, we’re playing for a couple more weeks,” he said. “But when our season is over, we’ll start putting next year’s roster together.”

The timing of the portal has sparked debate, with Michigan State’s Tom Izzo voicing frustration over it overlapping with the NCAA Tournament. Pearl agrees, acknowledging the challenge of managing both at once.

For now, his eyes are on a championship. But once the season wraps up, Pearl will dive right back into the portal, looking for the next group of players who fit Auburn’s system and can keep the Tigers in contention.