In case you missed it, I’ve already done previews on the NCAA Division II and III tournaments based specifically on locals. It only seems fair that I give the biggest tournament of all, the Division I bracket, the same treatment.
As always, follow me @LoHudCollege for updates on all the locals competing in college athletics.
MIDWEST—
No. 10 CINCINNATI (22-11)
Locals: Sean Kilpatrick (White Plains)-Junior
How they got in: At-large bid.
Who they face: No. 7 Creighton (27-7)
What you need to know: Kilpatrick and Cashmere Wright make up one of the most potent backcourts in the country. The former Tiger leads the Bearcats in PPG (16.9) and is second in RPG (5.1).
No. 15 ALBANY (24-10)
Locals: Reece Williams (Woodlands)-Freshman
How they got in: Won the American East
Who they face: No. 2 Duke (27-5)
What you need to know: Williams has seen limited time in his first season with the Great Danes.
WEST—
No. 4 Kansas State (27-7)
Locals: Jordan Henriquez (Port Chester)-Senior (pictured above)
How they got in: At-large bid
Who they face: No. 13 Boise State (21-10)/La-Salle (21-9)
What you need to know: Henriquez once again has been a force in the paint, leading the team in blocks (31). He also leads the team with 4.9 RPG and has contributed a solid 4.3 PPG.
No. 12 OLE MISS (26-8)
Locals: Terry Brutus (Spring Valley)-Freshman
How they got in: At-large bid
Who they face: No. 5 Wisconsin (23-11)
What you need to know: Brutus, who spent a year at Massanutten Military Academy (Va.) after graduating from Spring Valley, has seen decent time in his rookie season, averaging 9.1 minutes a game.
No. 15 Iona
Locals: Tavon Sledge (Spring Valley)-Sophomore
How they got in: Won the MAAC
Who they face: No. 2 Duke (26-7)
What you need to know: While Sledge attended Half Hollows in Long Island, his roots remain in Rockland county. In his first year with the Gaels after transferring from Iowa State, Sledge has averaged 5.6 points, 3.2 assists and 2.9 rebounds.
SOUTH—
No. 10 OKLAHOMA (20-11)
Locals: Isaiah Cousins (Mount Vernon)-Freshman
How they got in: At-large bid
Who they face: No. 7 San Diego State (22-10)
What you need to know: In his rookie campaign Cousins has played in all 31 games with 14 starts.
EAST
No. 4 SYRACUSE (26-9)
Locals: Matt Lyde-Cajuste (Iona Prep)-Senior
How they got in: At-large bid
Who they face: No. 13 Montana (25-6)
What you need to know: Lyde-Cajuste has seen limited time for the Orange, appearing in 12 games.
7 Comments
Jordan Henriquez is a Senior.
In DivII, Tyler Iacuone (Stepinac 12’) for Franklin Pierce made it to Elite 8.
CONGRATS TO ALL,ENJOY THE EXPERIENCE
Terry Brutus Ole Miss in NCAAS
Iona plays Ohio State, not Duke.
Good Luck to all these fine young men!
[...] the past month I have documented all of the Division I, II and III teams with local players that made the NCAA [...]