**Auburn Men’s Basketball Advances to Sweet 16 with Support from Charles Barkley**
The top-seeded Auburn men’s basketball team triumphed over Alabama State in the first round of the NCAA Division I tournament and continued their success by defeating Creighton in the second round on Saturday, securing a spot in the Sweet 16. Before their March Madness journey began, Auburn legend Charles Barkley expressed his admiration for current star Johni Broome, suggesting that if Broome leads the Tigers to their first national championship, he could surpass Barkley in Auburn’s basketball history.
### Barkley’s Endorsement of Johni Broome
– **Quote from Barkley**: “If he can finish the journey, I would say he’s (Broome) the greatest player in Auburn basketball history. I truly mean that.”
– Barkley praised the contributions of Broome and head coach Bruce Pearl, highlighting their impact on the program.
– He emphasized the significance of winning a national championship, stating, “If they could win a national championship, listen man, it’d be great.”
### Auburn’s Historical Context
– Barkley referred to Auburn’s 2019 Final Four appearance as the program’s best season to date.
– He stated, “That’s the greatest season in Auburn basketball history. If he’s able to win a championship, I’d say he’s the greatest player in Auburn basketball history. … He’s better than me in college.”
### Overcoming Adversity
Despite facing skepticism due to late-season struggles, including back-to-back losses to Texas A&M and Alabama, Auburn has shown resilience. They were also defeated by Tennessee in the SEC Tournament semifinal, which later lost to Florida in the championship game.
– Barkley defended Auburn’s performance, noting, “They didn’t lose to Providence. They lost to three schools that were ranked in the top 10-to-15.”
### Upcoming Challenge
Auburn is set to face the fifth-seeded Michigan Wolverines in the Sweet 16 on March 28 in Atlanta.
**Conclusion**: Can Johni Broome lead Auburn to its first national championship and solidify his legacy in the program’s history?
### FAQs:
**Q: What did Charles Barkley say about Johni Broome’s potential legacy at Auburn?**
A: Barkley stated that if Broome leads Auburn to a national championship, he could be considered the greatest player in Auburn basketball history.
