The world turned upside down for Auburn fans on Saturday night, as Florida came to Neville Arena and stole a win from the top-seeded Tigers. Bruce Pearl’s team had been on an incredible fourteen-game winning streak, cementing themselves as the top team in the country. Florida, however, paid no heed. They beat the Tigers 90-81 and exposed a crucial flaw with their best player.

Johni Broome, a six-ten forward, has been making a strong case for NPOY honors this year. He averages 18pts, 11reb, and an impressive 2.7 blocks per game! However, it seemed like Florida had all the answers for the senior forward.

On The Field of 68: After Dark, show hosts Rob Dauster, Jeff Goodman, and Mike LaTulip discussed the unexpected upset Auburn incurred. LaTulip focused on Broome’s playing style, narrowing in on the weaknesses that Florida exploited. “The one thing that he isn’t extremely potent at is just back to the basket, post you up, and score.” Broome is a lot better on the move, the analyst reasoned.

Chad Baker-Mazara had gotten the Tigers off to a great start with a 4-point play. They’d even manage a 10-point lead. But in the final minutes of the first half, they rallied ahead 48-38 in their favor and never looked back. Auburn would even see an early 21-point deficit in the second half, failing to recover despite better efforts to close the gap.

Head coach Pearl admits the team did not act like the no.1 team they were, with only two of the starters managing a double-digit score. But where the Gators really latched in was figuring out the play around the Tigers’ leading scorer.

“When they started posting Johni, that’s when Florida started to really get back into it. Because they could just play single coverage, clear the glass, and get out and play at the pace that they play with,” LaTulip discusses.

What Florida did really well was not double-team the Auburn big. Every other team that they have been playing against put two men on Broome, but not Florida. They restricted his scoring by not overplaying him, and forcing him into positions he struggled in. Auburn has to figure out a way to counteract this strategy, as other teams are sure to take note.

National analyst says Bruce Pearl needs to get Broome in motion

Johni Broome is an excellent player, but he strives in very certain situations. Back to the basket and traditional five man roles don’t really suit the Auburn forward, with his role being a lot more dynamic. Analysts pointed out a crucial mistake that Bruce Pearl made in regards to the usage of Broome.

“You have to get Johni on the move,” LaTulip said, emphasizing how important it was. “He’s so much more effective on the move, right? Put backs, and as a roll man.” With his size and finishing ability, the six-ten forward is an insane pick-and-roll threat. He does extremely well when he comes off screens.

However, there is a huge disparity in his ability to generate offense in motion versus from a standstill. “I think he’s shooting, I think I saw it today, 77% when he has to score off of being a roll man. And he’s 42% from the field when he posts up. So, that type of differential there, you have to play to your strengths.” Broome’s inefficient post-work does provide a liability for the Tigers, but he makes up for it through everything else.

The Tigers’ lead scorer and rebounder was limited to 18 points and 11 rebounds today.

It will be interesting to see how Bruce Pearl and Johni Broome adapt to the kind of strategy that Florida showcased. The Auburn forward is a front-runner for the National Player of the Year award, giving direct competition to Duke’s Cooper Flagg, who also coincidentally lost his Saturday matchup. If Broome is able to adapt, there is no doubt that Auburn can make a deep playoff run this year.