Johni Broome set to undergo several medical procedures as Bruce Pearl gives woeful ankle injury update on Auburn star

Auburn forward Johni Broome is set to undergo several medical procedures, including an MRI, to determine the extent of his ankle injury.

Tigers coach Bruce Pearl confirmed the sad development on Saturday night minutes after Auburn pulled off a 66-63 road victory over South Carolina that helped the team improve to 15-1 and 3-0 in the SEC.

Pearl said the fifth-year senior sustained a "significant sprain" and will undergo various examinations when they return to Auburn.

"When we get back to Auburn tonight, we'll get him an MRI and see if there's anything else going on there," the Auburn bench tactician said (per 247 Sports).

Broome suffered the injury when he was going for a rebound six minutes into the second half of the game against the Gamecocks. He turned his ankle after stepping on the foot of teammate Chaney Johnson.

The forward was in pain following the incident and laid on his back for a few minutes before he had to be helped to the locker room by team staff.

Pearl is hoping the injury isn't something which could prove costly for Broome, the frontrunner for National Player of the Year, and the team in this year's campaign.

"Hopefully that's what it is. Don't know much more than that," the veteran coach said.

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Johni Broome's injury and possible sit-out is set to affect Auburn's college basketball campaign

Johni Broome sat out in the remaining minutes of the game. He finished with six points, three rebounds, one assist, one steal and two blocks in 24 minutes for Auburn. He was 3-of-11 from the field before sustaining the injury.

The forward is the team's top defender, averaging 10.7 rebounds and 2.7 blocks this season. In 16 games, Broome averages 17.9 points and 3.3 assists in 27.4 minutes of action.

South Carolina took advantage of his absence, scoring 42 inside points. Auburn suffered in its interior defense, losing the rebounding battle 37-33.

If the injury isn't significant, Broome would still have a lengthy stay off the bench to recuperate. It might also affect the campaign of No. 2-ranked Auburn, which is set to claim the No. 1 position in the AP college basketball poll on Monday following Tennessee's loss to Florida.

Auburn goes back to action on Tuesday when it faces No. 14-ranked Mississippi State (14-2, 2-1 in SEC) at the Neville Arena. The Bulldogs absorbed a 95-90 loss to Kentucky on Saturday to suffer its first loss at home.

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How will Auburn step up in the possible loss of Johni Broome? Let us know your insights in the comments section.