BREAKING: Johni Broome Sends Blunt Message That Got Fans Buzzing Just Before NCAA Tournament

Ahead of their first-round matchup with Alabama State, Johni Broome made it clear that for the Auburn Tigers, it’s national championship or nothing. “I don’t want to go out not meeting my expectations, and no one else on this team would either.

It’s win or go home. If you’re not ready to step up and play your best basketball now, then why are you even playing?” Broome said in an interview posted by @NextRoundLive on X. While it was already win-or-go-home for a Tigers team that earned the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament, Broome’s words emphasized that reality.

Auburn faces a much weaker opponent in Alabama State and should use this first-round game to build momentum for the later rounds. A win on Thursday would set up a high-stakes second-round match with either Louisville (8 seed) or Creighton (9 seed). After last year’s disappointing first-round upset by 13th-seeded Yale, the Tigers are focused on redemption.

It has been six years since Auburn’s last Final Four appearance, and the program has yet to reach a national championship game. Under the tough, experienced leadership of Bruce Pearl, the Tigers have become a dominant force and are determined to break through, aiming to win it all.