Sure! Here’s a 1,500-word article on how the Auburn Tigers will look to replace Johni Broome:
How the Auburn Tigers Will Replace Johni Broome: A New Era on the Plains
When Johni Broome transferred from Morehead State to Auburn ahead of the 2022-23 season, few could have predicted just how impactful he would become for the Tigers. Over two standout seasons on the Plains, Broome emerged as the heart and soul of Bruce Pearl’s team, anchoring the defense, carrying the offense, and leading Auburn to two NCAA Tournament appearances.
Now, with Broome declaring for the NBA Draft, Pearl and his coaching staff are tasked with replacing one of the most productive and beloved big men in program history. It’s a tall order—literally and figuratively. Broome’s departure leaves a significant void in scoring, rebounding, rim protection, and leadership. But Auburn isn’t starting from scratch. With a blend of returning talent, high-upside freshmen, and activity in the transfer portal, the Tigers are preparing for a new identity in the post-Broome era.
Here’s a look at how Auburn plans to replace Johni Broome in 2025 and beyond.
Broome’s Legacy
Before diving into replacements, it’s worth appreciating what Broome brought to the table. In two years at Auburn, he averaged 15.6 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per game, earning First Team All-SEC honors twice. He was the team’s primary offensive option in the post, a defensive anchor who altered shots and protected the paint, and a veteran leader with NCAA Tournament experience.
Statistically and emotionally, his presence was immense. Losing him is a setback, but Auburn has been preparing for this moment.
1. Leaning on Returning Talent: The Development of Dylan Cardwell and Chad Baker-Mazara
Dylan Cardwell, a 6-foot-11 senior who has played a key backup role in recent seasons, could be poised for an expanded role. While not as polished offensively as Broome, Cardwell is a high-energy player who brings shot-blocking, rebounding, and toughness. He’s averaged just under 15 minutes per game in his career, but his per-40-minute stats suggest he could produce more with an increased workload.
Pearl has always praised Cardwell’s basketball IQ and leadership. If he can improve his touch around the rim and stay out of foul trouble, Cardwell could be a serviceable starting center—or at least a solid rotation piece in a frontcourt committee.
Meanwhile, Chad Baker-Mazara, a 6-foot-7 forward, offers versatility and perimeter scoring. Though not a center, his ability to stretch the floor and guard multiple positions gives Pearl flexibility in how he structures his lineups. A more positionless approach could allow Auburn to play faster, space the floor, and create mismatches.
2. Incoming Freshmen: Is Peyton Marshall Ready to Contribute?
Auburn’s 2024 recruiting class includes 4-star center Peyton Marshall, a 6-foot-11, 310-pound force from Georgia. Ranked among the top big men in his class, Marshall is a traditional back-to-the-basket player with soft hands and a wide frame. His rebounding and low-post scoring should translate quickly, but conditioning and defensive mobility will be areas to watch.
Pearl isn’t afraid to play freshmen if they earn it—see Jabari Smith and Walker Kessler’s roles in years past—but Marshall may need time to adjust to the pace and physicality of SEC basketball. Still, in terms of skill set, he’s the most natural successor to Broome on the roster.
If Marshall can provide 15–20 minutes per game as a freshman, Auburn can ease the burden on its veterans and build for the future.
3. The Transfer Portal: Auburn’s Secret Weapon
In today’s college basketball landscape, the transfer portal is a lifeline for elite programs seeking immediate help. And Bruce Pearl has shown he can thrive in it. With Broome’s departure, Auburn is expected to be aggressive in the portal once again.
Several big men have already been linked to the Tigers, including shot-blocking specialists and stretch-fours who could complement Cardwell and Marshall. Pearl’s ideal target? A veteran big with experience in a Power 5 conference who can rebound, defend, and contribute offensively without needing to dominate touches.
Names to watch include former Big Ten and ACC bigs who have entered the portal looking for a fresh start. Auburn’s brand, winning culture, and NIL infrastructure make it a top destination. Don’t be surprised if the Tigers land a plug-and-play big man before the summer.
4. Style Shift: More Perimeter-Centric Offense
Without a dominant post presence like Broome, Auburn may lean into a more perimeter-oriented attack. That means increased roles for guards like Aden Holloway, Tre Donaldson, and Denver Jones. All three guards have shown the ability to create off the dribble, and without a true low-post anchor, Pearl might emphasize tempo, spacing, and dribble penetration.
This could also open the door for more small-ball lineups, with Baker-Mazara or another wing sliding to the four, and Auburn using athleticism and switchability to create chaos on defense.
While Broome was a safety valve in halfcourt sets, this faster-paced approach could make Auburn more dangerous in transition and more dynamic on the offensive end.
5. Embracing a Committee Approach
Replacing Broome won’t be a one-player job. It’s more likely Auburn uses a committee of bigs to replicate his impact. Between Cardwell’s defense, Marshall’s low-post scoring, a potential transfer’s versatility, and contributions from athletic forwards like Baker-Mazara, Auburn has the pieces to cobble together Broome’s production.
Depth may actually become a strength. Where Broome played 30+ minutes a night, Auburn could rotate fresh legs more often, wear down opponents, and protect its bigs from foul trouble.
It also allows Pearl to tailor his lineups to matchups—going big against traditional centers and small against perimeter-heavy teams.
6. Leadership Void: Who Steps Up?
Perhaps the biggest challenge in replacing Broome is the intangible leadership he provided. He was a vocal presence in the locker room, a fan favorite, and a player others rallied around in crunch time.
Leadership can’t be manufactured, but it can be cultivated. Seniors like Cardwell and Jones will need to assert themselves, while Pearl will lean on returning guards to set the tone. The Tigers’ culture—built on accountability, toughness, and team-first basketball—will be tested. But it’s also an opportunity for new voices to emerge.
If someone embraces the leadership mantle, Auburn’s chemistry and cohesion may not skip a beat.
7. Defensive Identity Remains Intact
Broome’s shot-blocking was elite, but Auburn’s defensive success has always been more about system than individuals. Pearl’s teams thrive on ball pressure, help rotations, and rim protection from the weak side.
Cardwell is already a capable shot-blocker, and Peyton Marshall, once fully conditioned, could develop into one as well. Athletic forwards like Baker-Mazara and incoming freshman Jahki Howard give Auburn plenty of switchability.
Expect Pearl to maintain a defense-first identity, even without a dominant center. With the right personnel and commitment to effort, the Tigers should continue to be among the SEC’s best defensive teams.
8. Replacing the Production, Not the Player
At the end of the day, Auburn isn’t trying to find “the next Johni Broome.” That’s unrealistic and unfair. Instead, the focus is on replacing the production and maintaining the competitive edge Broome helped establish.
That means finding 15 points and 8 rebounds a night from a combination of players. It means protecting the rim without relying on one elite shot-blocker. It means building trust, chemistry, and toughness—things Broome exemplified, but the program must now carry forward without him.
Pearl’s track record suggests he’s up to the challenge. And with a loyal fanbase, a deep roster, and one of the SEC’s best coaching staffs, Auburn may be down a star—but it’s not down for long.
Conclusion: A New Chapter, Same Standard
Replacing a star is never easy, but Auburn has done it before—and done it well. From losing Jabari Smith to Walker Kessler to now Johni Broome, the Tigers have shown they can reload, not rebuild.
The 2025 season may look different, but the goals remain the same: compete in the SEC, reach the NCAA Tournament, and contend for championships. Whether through Cardwell, Marshall, a new portal addition, or a stylistic shift, Bruce Pearl will find a way.
Johni Broome may be moving on, but his impact will be felt long after he’s gone. And Auburn, as always, will keep climbing.
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