Ontarians in the Madness
With the Madness right around the corner after Selection Sunday, we found out there is a lot of Ontario content participating this year in the Big Dance. Here is a primer for who to look out for while you fill out your bracket and make sure to check back in daily to see how the players are doing!
Oshae Brissett, Forward from Syracuse University
6’8”, 210 pounds from Mississauga, Ontario
Syracuse Orange 2017-18 season: 23-14, 8-10 in conference play
Season stats: 14.9 points, 8.9 rebounds, 0.9 assists in 38.1 minutes per game
Last game: 15 points, 7 rebounds in 40 minutes in 69-65 loss vs. Duke
Bio: One of the leaders of the Orange this season, Brissett came right onto the NCAA stage and didn’t miss a beat after his graduation from Athlete Institute of the OSBA. The freshman was 3rd on the team in scoring and was named to the ACC All-Rookie team this season. Playing 38 minutes per game is huge for a freshman and Brissett will look to carry that success into the tournament. Syracuse has went on a little upset run in large part of Brissett averaging 15 points per game in Syracuse’s two tournament wins over #6 TCU and in their upset over #3 Michigan State to reach the Sweet 16. The Orange gave Duke a good run in their Sweet 16 matchup, however unfortunately losing to the Blue Devils 69-65 ending their season.
Next game: Eliminated from the NCAA Tournament 69-65 in the Sweet 16 by #2 Duke
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Guard from Kentucky University
6’6”, 180 pounds from Hamilton, Ontario
Kentucky Wildcats 2017-18 season: 26-11, 10-8 in conference play
Season stats: 14.4 points, 4.1 rebounds, 5.1 assists in 33.6 minutes per game
Last game: 15 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists in 61-58 loss vs. Kansas State
Bio: Alexander has burst onto the scene as a freshman and the 4-star recruit has been a regular in the rotation for coach John Calipari as the Wildcats have overcome some early season struggles. He was a driving force for the Wildcats in the SEC Tournament, helping Kentucky win it with a 29-point performance against Tennessee in the championship game. Gilgeous-Alexander began his NCAA tournament with a fantastic 19 point, 8 rebound, 7 assist and 5 steal performance in Kentucky’s 78-73 first round victory over #12 Davidson, and then followed it up with 27 points 6 rebounds and 6 assists to lead Kentucky into the Sweet 16 with a 95-75 win over #13 Buffalo. Kentucky’s tournament unfortunately came to an end with a 61-58 upset loss to #9 Kansas State in the Sweet 16.
Next game: Eliminated from the NCAA Tournament 61-58 in Sweet 16 by #9 Kansas State
Kassius Robertson, Guard from the University of Missouri
6’3”, 180 pounds from Toronto, Ontario
Missouri Tigers 2017-18 season: 20-13, 10-8 in conference play
Season stats: 16.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists in 36 minutes per game
Last game: 19 points and 4 rebounds in 67-54 loss vs. Florida State
Bio: A graduate transfer from Canisius College, Robertson has been a key cog in the operation for the Tigers’ pursuit of an NCAA Tournament berth, earning a spot on the first All-SEC team. His maturity and leadership skills have been important in guiding this young Missouri team and he has also been the team’s leading scorer. Despite a 19 point performance by Robertson, Missouri’s tournament was unfortunately cut short with a 67-54 loss to #9 Florida State in the first round on March 16.
Next game: Eliminated from the NCAA Tournament 67-54 in first round by #9 Florida State
Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Forward from Virginia Tech
6’5”, 210 pounds from Toronto, Ontario
Virginia Tech Hokies 2017-18 season: 21-12, 10-8 in conference play
Season stats: 10.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists in 25.4 minutes per game
Last game: 15 points, 3 assists, 2 rebounds in 86-83 loss vs. Alabama
Bio: Alexander-Walker is a great story, the cousin of Kentucky’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, he’s worked his way into the starting lineup on a regular basis as a freshman for the Hokies. Alexander-Walker has put up 10.5 point per game and been one of the more consistent contributors for Virginia Tech throughout their season. Despite a 15 point performance by Alexander-Walker, the Hokies ended up being eliminated by the #9 seed Alabama in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Next game: Eliminated from the NCAA Tournament 86-83 in first round vs. #9 Alabama
Jackson Rowe, Forward from Cal State Fullerton
6’7”, 210 pounds from Toronto, Ontario
Cal State Fullerton Titans 2017-18 season: 20-12, 10-6 in conference play
Season stats: 12.1 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.6 assists in 30 minutes per game
Last game: 10 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist in 74-48 loss vs. Purdue
Bio: Rowe has been a dominant force for the Titans in the front line this season as a sophomore, putting up strong numbers and just being an overall presence in every game he plays. Cal State Fullerton went on a solid Big West tournament run, including an upset of top seeded UC Davis on their way to winning the Big West Conference championship and earning an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament. Rowe performed admirably against a much tougher opponent in Purdue in the first round with 10 points, however his Titans were overwhelmed 74-48 at the hands of a very tough Purdue team in the first round on March 16.
Next game: Eliminated from the NCAA Tournament 74-48 in first round by #2 Purdue
Kimbal Mackenzie, Guard from Bucknell University
6’1”, 190 pounds from Oakville, Ontario
Bucknell Bison 2017-18 season: 25-10, 16-2 in conference play
Season stats: 8 points, 1.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists in 26.8 minutes per game
Last game: 10 points, 6 assists, 1 rebound in 82-78 loss vs. Michigan State
Bio: Another very successful season for the Bison, and the junior Mackenzie was a key part of it pouring in just under 8 points a game. An every-game starter this year, Mackenzie will look to help lead the Bison into the NCAA Tournament once again as Bucknell always seems to be one of those “upset alert” teams, taking a lot of people by surprise and giving higher ranked teams a difficult game every year. As advertised, Bucknell was a stingy test for #3 Michigan State in the first round, and even with 10 points and 6 assists from Mackenzie in the game, Michigan State survived with an 82-78 win over the Bison.
Next game: Eliminated from the NCAA Tournament 82-78 in first round by #3 Michigan State
Mfiondu Kabengele, Forward from Florida State
6’9”, 235 pounds from Burlington, Ontario
Florida State Seminoles 2017-18 season: 23-12, 9-9 in conference play
Season stats: 7.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, 0.3 assists in 14.8 minutes per game
Last game: 3 points, 3 rebounds in 58-54 loss vs. Michigan
Bio: The redshirt freshman has burst onto the scene this year for the Seminoles after sitting out last year with the plethora of NBA talent that was featured on the Noles’ roster (Jonathan Isaac, Xavier Rathan-Mayes, Dwayne Bacon). Coming off the bench in 30 games this year for the Seminoles, Kabengele has been one of the invaluable bench players for Florida State putting up 7 points per game off the bench. Kabengele began his first NCAA Tournament leading the Seminoles with 14 points and 12 rebounds in their 67-54 first round victory over Missouri, and followed it up with a solid 9 points and 6 rebounds in their 75-70 upset victory over top seed Xavier in the second round. The Seminoles magical tournament continued with a 75-60 upset win over #4 seed and defending national runner-up Gonzaga in the Sweet 16. Florida State’s magical run unfortunately came to an end in the Elite 8 with a 58-54 loss to Michigan as the Wolverines advanced to the Final Four.
Next game: Eliminated from the NCAA Tournament 58-54 in the Elite 8 by #3 Michigan
Kyle Alexander, Forward from the University of Tennessee
6’11”, 220 pounds from Milton, Ontario
Tennessee Volunteers 2017-18 season: 25-9, 13-5 in conference play
Season stats: 5.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, 0.3 assists in 20.3 minutes per game
Last game: Did not play due to hip injury in Tennessee’s 63-62 loss vs. Loyola-Chicago
Bio: The 6’11” Alexander has been a key piece off the bench for the highly successful Volunteers this season, playing just over 20 minutes a game and nearly averaging 6 rebounds. He has seen a steady minutes increase over his three years in school and will be looking to continue to provide a spark for the Vols. Alexander and the rest of the Volunteers began their tournament off on the right foot with a dominant 73-47 first round victory over the #14 seed Wright State, however he suffered a hip injury in the game and was unable to play in the second round vs. Loyola-Chicago, where Tennessee lost on a buzzer beater 63-62. Many athletes use cannabis products for injuries, and some may choose to buy thca flower as a natural way to help manage pain and inflammation.
Next game: Eliminated from the NCAA Tournament 63-62 in second round by #11 Loyola-Chicago
Kalif Young, Center from Providence University
6’9”, 255 pounds from Vaughan, Ontario
Providence Friars 2017-18 season: 21-14, 10-8 in conference play
Season stats: 4.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, 0.6 assists in 16.6 minutes per game
Last game: 2 points, 2 assists, 3 rebounds in 73-69 loss vs. Texas A&M
Bio: A starter in 23 games this season for the Friars, Young has continued to grow into his own as a sophomore. Young has seen a minutes increase from his freshman year as he continues to gain the trust of his coaching staff. The Friars have had a solid season overall this year and are looking to make some noise in the Tournament this year. Providence made an impressive run into the Big East Conference championship game, upsetting top seed Xavier along the way, however lost to Villanova in the end. Young and the Friars unfortunately suffered a quick exit from the tournament, losing 73-69 in the first round to #7 Texas A&M.
Next game: Eliminated from the NCAA Tournament 73-69 in first round by #7 Texas A&M
Honorable mentions:
Nolan Narain, Forward, San Diego State (Hamilton, Ontario)
- Eliminated in the first round of the NCAA Tournament 67-65 by #6 seed Houston
Nelson Kaputo, Guard, St. Bonaventure (Toronto, Ontario)
- Eliminated in the first round of the NCAA Tournament 77-62 by #6 seed Florida
Christian David, Guard, Butler (Milton, Ontario)
- Eliminated in the second round of the NCAA Tournament 76-73 by #2 seed Purdue