Auburn is heading to the Final Four for the second time in school history after toppling Michigan State 70-64 in the Elite Eight on Sunday. The Tigers’ victory ensured the Final Four will feature all four No. 1 seeds for the first time since 2008 and for just the second time since NCAA Tournament expansion in 1985.
Star big man Johni Broome led the charge for Auburn with 25 points and 14 rebounds. Broome exited for over five minutes late in the second half following an awkward fall but returned to hit a dagger of a 3-pointer with 4:40 remaining to put the Tigers ahead 60-48.
No. 2 seed Michigan State stayed within striking distance for most of the second half, but a cringeworthy offensive day for the Spartans’ guards doomed their chances of making another memorable rally. MSU drew within 65-58 with 1:40 remaining on a Jaxon Kohler 3-pointer. But that brief window of hope was quickly closed in a 4-0 Auburn spurt over the following 30 seconds. Kohler was the offensive bright spot for the Spartans with a double-double that included three 3-pointers.
The outcome eliminated the last Big Ten team from the bracket, ensuring the conference will go without a national champion for a 24th consecutive season.
Auburn’s win sets up an all-SEC national semifinal next Saturday at the Alamodome in San Antonio, as the Tigers will take on Florida. The Gators won the only meeting between the teams 90-81 at Auburn on Feb. 8. Regardless of who wins, it will be the first time since 2014 that an SEC team plays for the national title.
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