Though the Morehead State Eagles’ first NCAA tournament appearance in 10 years ended in the first round, there were some positives MSU could take from the 84-67 loss to West Virginia.
One of those positives is that freshman forward Johni Broome, a Plant City native, continued living up to the hype he built during a stellar regular season and conference tournament.
Broome had a solid all-around game on March 19, finishing with 10 points, nine rebounds, three blocks, an assist and a steal against just one turnover in 32 minutes played. He was the team’s leader in rebounds and shots blocked that night, and his 10 points were third behind DeVon Cooper’s team-high 21 and Skyelar Potter’s 18.
The 14th-seeded Eagles had the third-seeded Mountaineers on the ropes for much of the first half, taking the lead four times, and hung within one possession for the lead early in the second half. A combination of turnovers and an offensive awakening on WVU’s end led to the Mountaineers building what would be an insurmountable lead in the second half.
Broome’s 2020-21 season resume should give the Eagles hope for the future, as the freshman showed the potential to be MSU’s next star player on the court in his 30 games (27 starts).
AWARDS, HONORS, RANKINGS AND RECORDS
- Ohio Valley Conference Freshman of the Year
- First Team All-OVC
- OVC All-Newcomer Team
- OVC All-Tournament Team
- OVC Tournament MVP
- OVC Freshman of the Week (nine times)
- Lou Henson & Lute Olson National Player of the Week by College Insider Lou Henson Player of the Year Award finalist
- Morehead State Men’s Basketball Freshman Rebounding Record (271)
- Shot .571 from the field, ranking third overall in the OVC
- Averaged 9.0 rebounds per game, ranking second overall in the OVC
- Led MSU in scoring at 13.8 points per game
- Led OVC in blocked shots in league games with 38 (2.0 blocks per game)
- Finished season with 13 double-doubles (tied for 11th in the NCAA)