Auburn Tigers News: On Johni Broome's return, 4-star TAMU commit still eyeing AU

Auburn Tigers forward Johni Broome (4) dunks the ball as Auburn Tigers take on Tennessee Volunteers at Neville Arena in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025. Auburn Tigers defeated Tennessee Volunteers 53-51.
Auburn Tigers forward Johni Broome (4) dunks the ball as Auburn Tigers take on Tennessee Volunteers at Neville Arena in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025. Auburn Tigers defeated Tennessee Volunteers 53-51. | Jake Crandall/ Advertiser / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

In today's edition of Auburn Tigers News, we look at Johni Broome's return, and a 4-star Texas A&M commit is still considering Auburn

It was a big weekend for the Auburn basketball team, which took down No. 6 Tennessee in a tough defensive battle in Neville Arena on Saturday night. A major key in the Tigers' victory was the return of star player Johni Broome, who missed the previous two games after suffering an ankle injury in the matchup versus South Carolina.

"It just felt amazing to go out there and compete with my brothers, and just go out there and be back on the court with them," Broome said, per Auburn Undercover. "This week was very rough."

Despite head coach Bruce Pearl being unsure whether or not Broome would play as late as Friday, the big man looked anything but questionable in the game and was a big factor in the Tigers' 53-51 victory.

"I just want to thank my trainers and my doctors and Johni Broome for living in the training room for two weeks," Pearl said. "I didn't think he was going to come back tonight in the middle of the week. And, even (Friday), I knew he wanted to go. I didn't think he was going to be effective. … I think the team really respected their leader for putting it on the line, and I don't know if we win if he doesn't come back."

4-star Texas A&M commit is still considering Auburn

4-star tight end Xavier Tiller committed to Texas A&M in November, but the Langston Hughes High School product is still keeping his options open. He was on campus this weekend for Auburn football's big recruiting Junior Day event and he enjoyed his time.

“They fit very high for me,” Tiller said, per Auburn Rivals. “Auburn is very high for me still, they’re still in the mix. The way they use tight ends, I love it.”

Tiller has built a strong relationship with Auburn football tight ends coach Ben Aigamaua, and he plans to return for an official visit in the spring.