After reaching their first Final Four since 2019,veteran star and top-seeded Auburn once again came up short in the national semifinals.
The Tigers’ season ended with a 79-73 loss to Florida, marking the end of Johni Broome’s standout college career.
Auburn entered halftime with a 46-38 lead, but the Gators took control for good with 6:31 left, fueled by a clutch performance from Walter Clayton Jr., who scored ten points in the final five minutes.
In his final game, Broome finished w
Shortly after the loss, top star reflected on the end of his freshman season by posting a heartfelt message on his Instagram Story. He expressed gratitude to his teammates and Auburn fans, tagging several fellow players.
“One hell of a year with my brothers — wouldn’t trade this experience for anything,” Pettiford wrote. “Not the outcome we wanted, but we gave it everything we had, and that’s all we could do. I love all of y’all, man! Thank you, Auburn, for the endless support — we wouldn’t have made it this far without you. I love y’all. Thank you!”
With 15 points on 6-of-14 shooting, along with seven rebounds and two blocks. Pettiford struggled, managing just seven points and four assists—his least impactful showing of the tournament.
It remains uncertain whether Tahaad Pettiford will return to Auburn for his sophomore season or declare for the 2025 NBA Draft. His strong showing in the NCAA Tournament has boosted his draft stock, with some projections placing him in the top 20.
Meanwhile, Florida moves on to the national championship game, where they’ll take on the Houston Cougars on Monday at 8:50 p.m. ET.