Former Rutgers center Cliff Omoruyi has committed to join the Alabama basketball team, as announced on Sunday via the NCAA Transfer Portal. While the addition of Omoruyi generated excitement among fans nationwide, one Auburn forward, Johni Broome, expressed his lack of enthusiasm with a comment on social media.

Broome questioned the significance of the addition, writing, "That's it? 🤔" Nonetheless, Omoruyi's impressive statistics speak for themselves. Over the past three seasons at Rutgers, he started in 98 games, averaging 11.8 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per contest. Omoruyi's stellar performance on the court led to accolades including being named a Second-Team All-Big Ten selection, a two-time All-Big Ten Honorable Mention, and a two-time member of the First-Team All-Big Ten Defensive Team.

Hailing from Roselle Catholic High School in New Jersey, Omoruyi was considered a highly regarded four-star recruit. According to the On3 Industry Ranking, he was ranked as the No. 47 overall prospect in the nation and the No. 8 center from the 2020 cycle, taking into account evaluations from all major recruiting media companies.

Despite Broome's lack of enthusiasm, the Auburn forward himself is no stranger to challenging top talent. In the previous season, he led his team with an average of 16.5 points, while also contributing 8.5 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game. These stellar performances led to Broome being named a First-Team All-SEC member.

Acknowledging his contributions, Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl praised Broome's growth and impact on the team, stating that he is one of the best centers in college basketball, earning recognition as an All-American.

The upcoming season will see Broome and Omoruyi face off on the court, as their respective teams, Auburn and Alabama, collide. In their previous meetings, Broome averaged an impressive 24.5 points and 10.5 rebounds against the Crimson Tide, resulting in a 1-1 record.

In addition to Broome, Auburn will also welcome another talented player for the 2024-25 season. JP Pegues, a former Furman guard, committed to the team on April 12. Pegues had an outstanding career at Furman, with his most recent season seeing him achieve career-highs of 18.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game. He was named an All-Southern Conference First Team member in recognition of his stellar performances.

Notably, Pegues had a standout game against Western Carolina, scoring a season-high 35 points. He also had an impressive 33-point performance against Samford less than 10 days earlier. Pegues' impact was not limited to one season, as he played a significant role in the 2022-23 season, leading the Paladins to their first league title since 1980 and being named the Most Outstanding Player of the Southern Conference Men's Basketball Championship.

While Pegues had a quieter debut season, contributing 3.3 points, 1.4 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game, his subsequent performances showcased his potential and growth as a player.

As Omoruyi and Pegues gear up to join their new teams, the upcoming season promises exciting matchups and displays of talent on both sides. Fans eagerly await the clashes between Auburn and Alabama, as well as the contributions of these talented newcomers to their respective programs.