March Madness: Canadians to watch in the NCAA men’s tournament

Arizona’s Bennedict Mathurin is one of several Canadians to watch during March Madness. (Getty)

March Madness is here.

The seeds are set. Young and hopeful basketball players are preparing for the tournament of their lives. Fans are setting their brackets, hoping to miraculously predict every single outcome of the 67 games to come. A legendary coach is looking for a storybook ending to an illustrious career.

And while American sports enthusiasts get set to cheer for their alma maters or favourite schools, fans north of the border could look forward to a handful of high-profile Canadian players striving for college basketball glory.

Here are a couple of names to look out for, in case you needed a team to support or a young hooper to follow during one of the most exciting sporting events of the year.

G Bennedict Mathurin, Arizona

A sophomore from Montreal, Mathurin is having a standout season for the high-flying Arizona Wildcats, winning the PAC-12 Player of the Year award while leading his school to a No. 1 seed in the South division of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.

The 19-year-old has averaged 17.4 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists over 34 games, while shooting 46 percent from the field. His brilliant year has been rewarded with a place among the 10 semifinalists for the Naismith Men’s College Basketball Player of the Year.

G Andrew Nembhard, Gonzaga

Nembhard is no stranger to college basketball’s biggest stage, having helped guide the Gonzaga Bulldogs to the National Championship game last year before losing to Baylor.

As a senior, the Aurora, Ont., native has taken his game to the next level this season, averaging 11.7 points and 5.7 assists per game, a figure that is tied for 11th in the country. The 22-year-old Nembhard can be a force as a scorer as well, putting up 19 points on 8-of-16 shooting to lead Gonzaga to the West Coast Conference title and a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

C Zach Edey, Purdue

At seven-foot-four, Edey is the tallest player in Big Ten…

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Author : Yahoo Sports Canada

Publish date : 2022-03-17 18:04:35

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