“Dont worry Duke coming”: Hoops fans react as Auburn top AP poll despite Johni Broome’s injury
Unlike last week, when there was no shakeup in the top 5 of the AP Poll, as the current releases see Auburn clinching the throne for the first time this season. The Tigers lost their best player, Johni Broome, to an ankle injury on Friday but emerged victorious (66-63) against the Gamecocks.
Tennessee, previously No. 1, was relegated to the sixth spot after a 30-point loss to end its undefeated run this week. With that, the top five in the AP Poll features the Tigers, Iowa State Cyclones (previously No. 3), Duke Blue Devils (previously No. 4), Alabama (previously No. 5) and Florida (previously No. 8). SLAM highlighted all 25 teams in its latest Instagram post.
Fans stormed the comment section to react to the new AP rankings:
"Duke and auburn are neck and neck for best team in the country," a fan wrote.
"Duke beat Auburn and Auburn best player is out," another fan commented.
"Don’t worry duke coming😈," another fan wrote.
More fans joined in:
"9 SEC Schools in the top 25 3 SEC schools in the top 5 Y’all said the SEC was trash 🤦🏽♂️🤣😂🤣🤔🫣," a fan commented.
"How st johns bot ranked???" another fan wrote.
"Can’t wait for that Iowa state Kansas matchup," another fan commented.
Auburn's coach Bruce Pearl on Johni Broome's status
Johni Broome injured his ankle in the second half of the contest against the South Carolina Gamecocks while going for a rebound. The forward rolled his ankle as he accidentally stepped on Chaney Johnson's foot. He limped back to the locker room and did not return to the contest.
In the post-game conference, coach Bruce Pearl shared that the senior has sustained a left ankle sprain and will be observed for MRI and X-ray after the team returns to Auburn.
"Johni Broome has a sprained ankle," he said. "We'll go back to Auburn and get MRI and X-Rays and see if there is anything more."
With that, there is a possibility that Johni Broome will not suit up for Tuesday's game against the No. 15 Mississippi State. The forward leads the Tigers in four major statistical categories with 17.9 points, 10.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 2.7 blocks.