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Rauterkus: Why I voted Johni Broome for AP National Player of the Year
This is an opinion column.
Auburn’s Johni Broome is the best player in college basketball. No, Friday’s results did not change my opinion.
Cooper Flagg was named the 2025 AP National Player of the Year, but I voted for Broome.
He’s not the most naturally talented nor is he a future lottery pick, you can give those nods to Flagg. But Broome has been the driving force of an Auburn team that entered the NCAA tournament as the No. 1 overall seed.
Voting for the AP National Player of the Year was done before the postseason, so this column won’t cover Broome’s Elite Eight heroics with one arm. However, he did plenty during the regular season to earn the nod.
To start, let’s address the elephant in the room. I’m an Auburn beat writer, meaning I’ve seen a lot more of Broome up close than Flagg or any other non-Auburn player this season.
Could that create a bias? Maybe. But, to me, seeing every moment of his dominant 2024-2025 season up close allowed me to feel even more confident in my vote when it was time to submit it.
At first glance, the numbers jump off the screen. Finishing the regular season averaging a double-double is no small feat and becomes even more impressive when considering who Broome did it against.
Auburn’s strength of schedule ranks No. 2 in the country, per KenPom, playing in arguably the strongest conference in college basketball history. The Tigers’ non-conference slate wasn’t much easier, facing teams like Duke, Houston, Iowa State, Purdue, Memphis and North Carolina, all NCAA tournament teams.
Broome averaged 21.3 points and 12.8 rebounds per game in those matchups, showing his big game pedigree existed from early in the season.
Flagg’s numbers were similarly impressive, but he didn’t encounter the kind of gauntlet Broome did. Not even close.
Duke played 10 teams in the KenPom top 50 all season, eight of which made the NCAA tournament. By comparison, Auburn played 22 top 50 games in the regular season and faced 19 of the 68 teams in the NCAA tournament field.
I also factored in what Broome overcame at multiple points in the season. Whether it was overcoming shoulder injury to drop 23 and 11 against Purdue or coming back from a sprained ankle to add 16 points, 14 rebounds and the game-winning assist against Tennessee, playing through injury became the norm for Broome.
Throughout the second half of the season, Broome consistently added double-doubles and big performances against elite opponent after elite opponent while oftentimes being less than 100%.
Then, there were the moments.
In football, the idea of a “Heisman moment” is always brought up when it comes time to crown a Heisman Trophy winner. It’s not a requirement to win the award, but it’s something fans and media members love to point toward when making an argument.
For Broome, two come to mind, both coming against bitter in-state rival, Alabama. In the first meeting, an Auburn win over the No. 2-ranked Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa, Broome came out hot, knocking down two early 3-pointers to set the tone for a comfortable Auburn win in the state’s biggest ever regular season college basketball game.
Auburn lost the rematch, but it was no fault of Broome’s. He played arguably the best game of his career, dropping 34 points and eight rebounds on 53.6% shooting from the field.
The exclamation point was a desperation 3-pointer in the final 20 seconds of overtime, tying the game as Alabama was surging. The Crimson Tide won the game on the next possession, but Broome’s performance in his final game at Neville Arena capped off a historic year.
Lastly, I can admit this: Choosing Broome wasn’t easy. I went back and forth between he and Flagg for a while but settled on Broome after considering all the factors mentioned above.
Flagg may have the better NBA career. He might make more money playing basketball. But Broome was the best player in college basketball this season and Auburn wouldn’t be where it is without him.
Peter Rauterkus covers Auburn sports for AL.com. You can follow him on X at @peter_rauterkus or email him at [email protected]m
Read MoreBonnaroo Music & Arts Festival 2025: Tickets, lineup, dates and more
The annual Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival is returning to The Farm in Manchester, Tennessee this year on June 12-15.
Considered one of the biggest annual music festivals to date, Bonnaroo hosts the biggest artists in the music industry year after year. This year, top artists for the festival include Luke Combs, Don Dolla, Tyler, the Creator, Glass Animals, Olivia Rodrigo, Avril Lavigne, Hozier, Vampire Weekend and much more.
The four-day festival will see additional performances by over 100 artists including The Red Clay Strays, Rainbow Kitten Surprise, Mt. Joy, Role Model, Alex Warren, Flipturn, Marcus King, Sammy Virji, Glorilla, Nelly and more.
Where can I purchase tickets for Bonnaroo 2025?
Those interested in making the trek out to The Farm venue in Manchester for this year’s festival can purchase both 4-day tickets and individual day tickets on secondary markets such as Vivid Seats, StubHub, Viagogo and Seat Geek.
When purchasing festival tickets through the sites mentioned above, users can sort available tickets through useful filters such as lowest price, best deal and best view.
Bonnaroo 2025 tickets:
4-day tickets – Vivid Seats (start at $330) | StubHub (start at $344) | Viagogo (start at $324) | Seat Geek (start at $342) |
Thursday, June 12 tickets – Vivid Seats (start at $231) | StubHub (start at $198)| Viagogo (start at $186) | Seat Geek (start at $250) |
Friday, June 13 tickets – Vivid Seats (start at $232) | StubHub (start at $229) | Viagogo (start at $216) | Seat Geek (start at $251) |
Saturday, June 14 tickets – Vivid Seats (start at $200) | StubHub (start at $214) | Viagogo (start at $202) | Seat Geek (start at $218) |
Sunday, June 15 tickets – Vivid Seats (start at $232) | StubHub (start at $229) | Viagogo (start at $216) | Seat Geek (start at $251)|
Bonnaroo 2025 full lineup
Thursday, June 12: Luke Combs, Dom Dolla, Sammy Virji, Marcus King, Green Velvet, 2Hollis, Insane Clown Posse, Joey Valence & Brae, Daniel Donato, Wilderado, Max Styler, Azzecca, The Lemon Twigs, Wisp, Sofia Isella, Kitchen Dwellers, Dogs in a Pile, Die Spitz, Hey Nothing, The Droptines
Friday, June 13: Tyler, the Creator, John Summit, Glass Animals, Tipper, Goose, The Red Clay Strays, Rainbow Kitten Surprise, Megadeth, Wallows, Foster the People, Slightly Stoopid, Flipturn, Of The Trees, Jpegmafia, Marina, Damiano David, Tape B, MJ Lenderman, Bossman Dlow, Inzo, Levity, Mannequin, Leon Thomas, Cults, Aly & AJ, Matt Champion, Detox Unit, Rachel Chinouriri, Eater, Ginger Root, Bebe Stockwell, Effin
Saturday, June 14: Olivia Rodrigo, Avril Lavigne, Justice, Nelly, Glorilla, Mt. Joy, RL Grime, Beabadoobee, Tyla, Jessie Murph, Modest Mouse, Gorgon City, Flatland Calvary, Hot Mulligan, Action Bronson, Crankdat, Dope Lemon, Gigi Perez, Wave to Earth, Claptone, Jade Cicada, What So Not, Dadi Freyr, Ziggy Alberts, Rossy, Destroy Boys, The Stews, Thee Sinseers and the Altons, Ahee
Sunday, June 15: Hozier, Vampire Weekend, Queens of the Stone Age, Lszee, Remi Wolf, Raye, Royel Otis, Dispatch, Role Model, Barry Can’t Swim, Treaty Oak Revival, Big Gigantic, Jack’s Mannequin, Atliens, Bilmuri, Saint Motel, James Arthur, Alex Warren, Zingara, Natasha Bedingfield, Alexandra Kay, Goldie Boutilier, Grace Bowers & The Hodge Podge, Gorillat, YDG
Read MoreDuke’s Cooper Flagg named AP College Basketball Player of the Year
Duke basketball’s Cooper Flagg was recognized with one of the highest honors in college basketball.
After leading the Blue Devils to the Final Four this week in San Antonio, Flagg was named the AP Player of the Year.
The Blue Devils freshman averaged 18.9 points, 7.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game this season, winning the AP award over Auburn’s Johni Broome.
Flagg was the youngest player in NCAA history to record 30/5/5 stat line in a tournament game against Arizona. He was also the Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year
Duke will headline Saturday’s semifinal games against Houston and tipoff is set for 7:09 p.m.
Jerry Humphrey III covers Auburn sports for AL.com. You can follow him on X at @Jerryhump3 or email him at [email protected].
Read MoreWarriors-Nuggets free livestream: How to watch NBA game tonight, TV, schedule
The Golden State Warriors play against the Denver Nuggets in an NBA game tonight. The matchup will begin at 9 p.m. CT on NBA TV. Fans can watch this game for free online by using the free trials offered by DirecTV Stream and Fubo TV. Alternatively, Sling offers a first-month discount to new users.
The Warriors enter this matchup with a 45-31 record, and they have won four consecutive games. In their most recent game, the Warriors defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 123-116.
During the victory, Stephen Curry led the Golden State offense. He scored 37 points and accrued six assists, so he will try to continue his offensive success tonight.
Curry leads the team in scoring, as he averages nearly 25 points per game.
The Nuggets enter this matchup with a 47-30 record, and they have lost back-to-back games.
In order to bounce back tonight, the Nuggets will need a great performance from their star center Nikola Jokic. He currently averages a triple-double, as he leads the team in points, rebounds, and assists.
Fans can watch this NBA game for free online by using the free trials offered by DirecTV Stream and Fubo TV. Alternatively, Sling offers a first-month discount to new users.
Read MoreBarkBox is offering a free Yeti Boomer dog bowl for new subscribers
The popular Yeti Boomer dog bowl is built with double-wall, non-insulated stainless steel, making it incredibly durable, easy to clean and resistant to rust and roughhousing, according to Yeti.
This particular Boomer dog bowl is also customized with the iconic BARK logo in black and white options.
What is Barkbox?
Barkbox is perfect for those who love to spoil their dogs a little extra. Each box includes two innovative toys, two all-natural bags of treats and a chew, curated from each month’s unique themed collection worth about $45 in total. There are also options for dogs who are considered “super chewers.”
The Barkbox theme for April 2025 is “Knights of Gnawmore.”
Prices for a subscription include $45 for a one-month plan, $27 per month for a six-month plan or $23 per month for a 12-month plan.
According to its website, if your dog is not happy with his or her box for the month, Barkbox will work with you to make it right.
Read MoreHyundai ends free maintenance for new car buyers as it evaluates tariff fallout
Hyundai is ending its free scheduled maintenance visits for new car buyers, according to Car and Driver.
While the “unsupportable” cost of the program might have done it in, analysts say it also may be due to the expected costs of the new Trump Administration tariffs on automobiles and other foreign goods.
At the same time, the South Korean automaker said it is continuing to evaluate the possible effect of the newest slate of tariffs issued this week by the Trump Administration on the cars manufactured at its Montgomery plant.
In a statement, Hyundai said customers who purchased a vehicle that included the Hyundai Complimentary Maintenance Program from 2020 through 2025 will experience no changes to their service.
The service will also continue for 2024 and 2025 vehicles sold or leased as new, the automaker said.
Once 2026 models go on sale, customers will have a choice of pre-paid maintenance plans.
Hyundai is also continuing to evaluate the possible effect of certain aspects of this week’s new round of tariffs announced Wednesday by President Donald Trump.
In a statement, the automaker said that its Montgomery plant “builds nearly half of the Hyundai vehicles sold in the United States.”
“(Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama) does source parts from Mexico and those parts are compliant with the U.S., Mexico, Canada Agreement (USMCA). Therefore, they are not subject to the tariffs announced on April 2,” the company said. “We will continue to produce safe, high-quality vehicles for the North American market, while sustaining jobs at our facility and across our supplier network in Montgomery and surrounding communities.
Hyundai has made several moves related to the Trump tariffs.
Hyundai CEO Jose Munoz on Thursday said the Korean automaker doesn’t have any immediate plans to raise prices in response to the tariffs, according to Reuters.
Robert Burns, the chief administrative officer at the plant, told WSFA “the bottom line is, we’re not going to stop building cars.”
And Hyundai last month announced it will invest $21 billion on its U.S. manufacturing operations. That includes $5.8 billion for a steel factory in Louisiana that will employ 1,300 people.
Read MoreKatie Britt calls for the prosecution of people threatening ICE agents
Alabama U.S. Sen. Katie Britt is calling for federal prosecution of those making online threats against federal immigration authorities.
Newsweek is reporting Britt made the statement following the arrest of a Texas man who allegedly threatened on social media to shoot and kill federal immigration agents.
“Any threats of violence against these courageous law enforcement officers and agents should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” Britt said in a statement to Newsweek.
“The hardworking men and women at CBP, DHS, and ICE are tasked with keeping our nation secure, our communities safe, and our families protected. Each and every day, they put their lives on the line to protect our nation,” she said.
As part of a mass deportation campaign by President Donald Trump’s administration, ICE has increased operations and raids across the country since Jan. 20.
Britt’s comments come a week after Alireza Doroudi, a University of Alabama doctoral student originally from Iran, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
In February, Border Protection officers in Texas detained a male U.S. citizen for allegedly assaulting and impeding officers during inspections. Activists have also distributed flyers in California revealing the names, photos and phone numbers of ICE agents.
“As Chairman of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, I will continue to work tirelessly to ensure these officers have the funding and resources they need to do their jobs and keep our homeland safe,” she added.
Read MoreAuburn basketball’s Bruce Pearl wins AP Coach of the Year
In a season full of awards, Bruce Pearl arguably picked up his biggest individual accolade yet.
He was named AP Coach of the Year Friday morning, splitting the award with St. John’s head coach Rick Pitino. Pearl is now the second Auburn coach to ever win the award, joining Cliff Ellis in 1999.
The award comes after Pearl led Auburn to the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA tournament and now a Final Four berth. Auburn also won the Southeastern Conference regular season championship, along with breaking a school record for wins in a season.
Pearl and Pitino finished voting tied with 20 votes each. Louisville’s Pat Kelsey finished with eight votes and Duke’s Jon Scheyer finished with five.
Auburn will start the Final Four Saturday evening, facing Florida at 5:09 p.m. from the Alamodome in San Antonio. The game will be televised on CBS.
Peter Rauterkus covers Auburn sports for AL.com. You can follow him on X at @peter_rauterkus or email him at [email protected]m
Read MoreWhat’s new at Toyota Field this season for the Rocket City Trash Pandas?
Baseball is back in Madison County.
The Rocket City Trash Pandas will begin their season on Friday at 6:35 p.m., hosting the Chattanooga Lookouts at Toyota Field in an Opening Day matchup.
Year five for the Double-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels saw some new food items, ballpark amenities and more added going into Opening Day.
Tickets will be available on TPTix.com, with other third-party sites potentially raising the prices of tickets for each game.
Here are some highlights heading into Opening Day on Friday:
Affordable food packages
An addition to this year’s concession stands will feature a great set of deals for a family at the ballpark in “family four packs” available every night. Fans can choose between four hot dogs or four bags of chips for $20 or four hamburgers and four bags of chips for $25 at the Gravity Grille and Dumpster Dive.
Other new concession options
Sticking with food, the Trash Pandas staff has added even more grab-and-go options to the ballpark, with a set of self-checkout scanners now available behind home plate. Fans place their items, pay and go back to their seats in this rapid process.
This season also features the addition of new food items, highlighted by smoked wings designed by kitchen manager Chauncey Jorden. Available at the all-star concession stand, sauces or rubs include garlic parmesan, traditional hot, strikeout sauce, lemon pepper, BBQ and Alabama white sauce. Other new offerings include footlong corn dogs, a new chipotle brisket burger and beverage bat ICEEs.
More bobblehead giveaways
While it’s not new to Rocket City, some new bobbleheads will be available this season for the first 1,500 fans. The first will be a Christian Moore bobblehead giveaway, which is set for Tuesday as Rocket City opens a series against Knoxville.
The other two scheduled bobblehead giveaways include a figure of Caden Dana — complete with lifelike hair — on April 22, and the return of the Lunaticos Sugar Skull bobblehead on June 1.
New “Trashport”
Fans will have the opportunity to take photos with new murals at designated spots that are scattered around Toyota Field. After taking the photos and tagging the Trash Pandas’ social media account, fans are entered to win prizes every week.
Autograph sessions
The ballpark will be adding a perk every Sunday as select players will be available for autographs. The availability will be on the concourse and run from 1:40 p.m. to 2 p.m. just after gates open, with two players available for the time allotment.
Read More