The top-seeded Auburn Men's Basketball Team defeated Alabama in the opening round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament.
The Tigers then defeated Clayton in the second round on Saturday to advance to the Sweet 16. But before the crazy SEC powerhouse in March ran, Overgrelate Charles Barkley expressed his support for one of the team's current stars.
Barkley, who provides commentary during the tournament game airs, believes Johnni Broome will outperform him in Auburn Lore if he can lead the Tigers to the first national championship.
For sports coverage on foxnews.com, click here
Former NBA player and Auburn alumnus Charles Barkley will enter Neville Arena through the Road Dock before a game between the Oklahoma Souler and the Auburn Tigers in Auburn, Alabama on February 4, 2025. (Stew Milne/Getty Images)
“If he can finish his journey, I think he's the best player in Auburn basketball history (Bloom),” Berkley told a television broadcast on Thursday. “I really mean that. What he did for the program, he and his coach (Bruce) Pearl and those guys were incredible.
Virginia is hiring a former UMBC coach who defeated school as the first 16 seed to win the madness game in March: Report
Berkley then pointed out Auburn's appearance in the 2019 Final Four, declaring it the program's best season.
March 22, 2025. Lexington, Kentucky, USA. Auburn Tigers Forward Johnni Broome (4) handles the ball with Creighton Bluejays in the second round to Rupp Arena's NCAA Tournament in the second half. (Aaron Doster-Imagn image)
“And I'll say this, I said when they reached the Final Four a few years ago, it was the biggest season in Auburn basketball history.
Auburn faced some doubts leading up to this year's tournament due to the team's struggles later in the regular season. The Tigers dropped back-to-back games to Texas A&M and Alabama earlier this month.
The March Madness logo is drawn at the Amica Mutual Pavilion on practice day, ahead of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament, which will be held in Providence, Rhode Island on March 19, 2025. (Emily Chin/Getty Images)
Tennessee lasted longer than Auburn in the SEC Tournament semi-finals. The volunteers eventually fell to Florida in the SEC Tournament Championship Game.
Berkley pointed out the quality of the enemy who defeated Auburn. “They didn't lose to Providence,” he said. “They lost to three schools ranked in the top 10-15. And listen to Providence for rude things. Don't explode. … They lost to Alabama on the buzzer. They're number 2 or 3 seed. So I'm not worried.
Click here to get the Fox News app
Auburn will take on Michigan Wolverine, the fifth seeded at Atlanta's Sweet 16 on March 28th.
Follow Fox News Digital's Sports Coverage on X and subscribe to Fox News Sports Huddle Newsletter.
