Auburn’s Johni Broome, Creighton’s Ryan Kalkbrenner centers of attention in March Madness matchup
Auburn's Johni Broome (4) shoots over Alabama State's Jasteven Walker, right, during the second half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament in Lexington, Ky., Thursday, March 20, 2025. (AP Photo/James Crisp)[ASSOCIATED PRESS/James Crisp]
LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Johni Broome and Ryan Kalkbrenner are big men with big-time experience on the March Madness stage. Just not against each other, which makes Saturday night’s second-round South Region showdown between overall top seed Auburn and No. 9 seed Creighton so compelling. Broome’s efficiency collecting double-doubles for Auburn has made the 6-foot-10 AP All-American first-teamer a favorite for several national player of the year awards, including the Naismith. He’ll square off in Rupp Arena against Kalkbrenner, a 7-1 shot eraser who has scored more than 2,300 points for Creighton and has won nine of 12 NCAA appearances. Broome will make his sixth appearance between Auburn and Morehead State.
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