Auburn's Broome: 'I'm going to be 100%' for Final Four

Take a breath, Auburn fans.

Star forward Johni Broome said Thursday he'll be ready to go with "no limitations" for Saturday's Final Four matchup against Florida, according to ESPN's Myron Medcalf.

Broome briefly exited Auburn's Elite Eight victory last Sunday over Michigan State with a right elbow injury but returned to the contest. Broome said postgame that he was examined by a doctor who assured him, "Nothing's wrong."

However, the Wooden Award finalist sat out two practices this week before returning Thursday.

"I did a lot with my elbow (this week)," Broome said. "I took care of it. I kind of made it mad a little bit, just pushed it a little bit. Pushed my limits with it. But by Saturday, I'm going to be 100%."

Auburn coach Bruce Pearl praised Broome on Thursday, highlighting the impact he expects the 22-year-old to have in Saturday's matchup against Florida.

"The one thing Johni Broome showed in this NCAA Tournament is that there was another level," Pearl said. "There was another gear. Everybody keeps watching him and wondering, 'When is he going to fizzle? When is he going to not show up?' And he just, again, managed to step up. He was 10-for-13 against Michigan State, and that was a huge difference for us.

"Look, Florida recognizes that, and Florida's bigs are a little bigger and a little bit more athletic than Michigan State's or Michigan's bigs, but he was the MVP of the South Region, and we rode him hard, and we're going to ride him hard again on Saturday."

Broome posted a game-high 25 points against the Spartans, with 14 rebounds, two assists, one steal, and a block.