Auburn basketball coach Bruce Pearl opened Monday’s press conference with the latest injury update on Johni Broome.

Broome went down with an ankle injury sidelining him the remainder of last weekend’s 66-63 victory over South Carolina.

The university announced Broome’s injury as a non-surgical ankle sprain. Pearl confirmed Monday that there is no timetable on his return as of now.

“I don’t know that we’re the best team in the country right now. Probably not right now, because we’re obviously not at full strength,” Pearl said. “Johni won’t play [Tuesday] against Mississippi State, but we’re still a really good team. So, we’ll prepare without him.”

When Broome dealt with his shoulder injury against Geogia State earlier this year, Auburn leaned on Dylan Cardwell and Chaney Johnson in the frontcourt.

With four of the Tigers next five opponents ranked in the top-25, transfer wing Jaheim Hudson will play huge role in the rotation.

“I’m just trying to keep a clear head. I feel like I’m prepared. I’ve been working this whole time even though I haven’t been playing a lot,” Hudson said. “I’m just preparing, trying to lock in on defense and just get stops. That’s really my main focus in the game right now when I get my chance.”

Auburn sixth man Johnson was in a familiar situation last year when Jaylin Williams went down for a few games. For Johnson, being back in the starting lineup means being keen on his decision-making.

“I’ll just say being more locked in. When [Jaylin Williams] got hurt and I knew I had to step up big time for Georgia,” Johnson said. “I’d just say being more physical, being more confident and being smarter with a couple decisions I make on the court.”

“I can’t be making stupid fouls and being overly physical. I’ve got to play a lot smarter than I have been.”

Despite not having his Preseason All-American at the moment, Pearl is still confident in the depth of his lineup ahead of Auburn’s next stretch of conference games.

“Getting back to it, I have confidence that all our guys can step up their scoring. Dylan, Chaney, Chad, Denver, Miles, Tahaad, Jahki and Chris,” Pearl said. “I just think, I think everybody has an opportunity. We have enough talent to be able to have everybody do a little bit more, I think that’s the best way to approach his loss.”

Auburn and Mississippi State will tipoff at 6 p.m. Tuesday inside Neville Arena.

PEARL, Miss. (WLBT) – The Mississippi Mud Monsters have announced its first coach ahead of the state’s newest professional team’s inaugural season at Trustmark Park.

On Monday, former professional baseball player and experienced coach Jay Pecci was announced as the club’s Field Manager.

“I am thrilled to join the Mississippi Mud Monsters organization and take on this exciting opportunity,” said Pecci. “Mississippi has a passionate sports community, and I look forward to helping build a winning culture that fans can be proud of. My goal is to foster a team that competes at a high level while staying deeply connected to our fans and the community. Together, we’ll make the Mud Monsters a team to remember.”

Pecci was named the 2008 Northern League All-Star MVP and played seven seasons of Minor League Baseball and over a decade of MLB Partner League play. Pecci had the 4th highest batting average (.588) in College World Series history during his collegiate career at Stanford.

As a manager, he has led teams to success, including guiding the Florida Complex League Mets to the best regular season record in 2023.

Pecci has previously served in various coaching roles, including as the Bench Coach for the Syracuse Mets in 2022, and the Bench Coach for the St. Lucie Mets in 2021. He was also the complex coordinator for the Mets in both 2023 and 2024, further solidifying his role as a key leader in developing young talent.

The Mud Monsters will play their inaugural Frontier League game on May 8 at Trustmark Park against the Florence Y’alls.

Click here to view the full schedule.

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MADISON CO., Miss. (WLBT) – A woman was killed in a single-vehicle crash in Madison County.

A press release says the incident happened at 4:06 p.m. Sunday near the 121-mile marker.

According to the Mississippi Highway Patrol, a 2017 Jaguar, driven by 26-year-old Madison Walker of Terry, was traveling northbound on I-55 when it lost control, collided with an embankment, and overturned.

Walker died at the scene.

The crash remains under investigation by the Mississippi Highway Patrol.

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