It’s that time of the year again. March Madness has arrived.
Every year in the middle of March, we clear our work or home schedules so that we can sit back, kick our feet up and absorb as much college basketball as we can over the course of three extended weekends. Whether you’ve followed the college basketball regular season or not, the NCAA Tournament consistently gives viewers some of the best drama sports has to offer.
If the captivating unpredictability of each game wasn’t enough to draw you in, the tournament also lets viewers see some of college basketball’s brightest stars on the biggest stage. Some of those players will be heading to the NBA in the summer following the tournament, and some will return to school for a sequel…or more.
In addition to their head coach, 11 of the players on the Bucks roster got at least one taste of NCAA tournament basketball back in their college days. In advance of this year’s tournament, let’s take a look back and see how some of the current Bucks fared.
Jason Kidd, California (1992-1994)
Sweet Sixteen in 1993, Round of 64 in 1994
The National Freshman of the Year led the Golden Bears to an upset of two-time defending National Champion Duke in 1993, but fell short to Kansas in the Sweet 16. The next year Kidd led Cal to a 5-seed in the tournament, but they were upset by Dick Bennett’s UW-Green Bay squad. UW-GB just recently punched their ticket to this year’s dance, their first bid in 20 years.
Jerryd Bayless, Arizona (2007-2008)
Round of 64 in 2008
In Bayless’ lone season as a Wildcat, he led the team in scoring and helped earn them a tournament bid. The Wildcats were a 10-seed, but lost to 7-seed West Virginia in the first round. Bayless declared for the NBA Draft that summer and was the 11th overall selection by the Indiana Pacers.
Michael Carter-Williams, Syracuse (2011-2013)
Elite Eight in 2012, Elite Eight in 2013
After being stuck behind several other talented guards in 2012, MCW broke out in the 2012-13 season, highlighted by a career-high 24 point performance against the 1-seed Indiana Hoosiers in the 2013 Sweet Sixteen. Michael and the Orange then topped Marquette in the East Regional Final to make it to the Final Four.
Tyler Ennis, Syracuse (2013-2014)
Round of 32 in 2014
Taking over the reigns from MCW, Ennis helped lead the Orangemen to a 27-5 record and a 3-seed for the tournament. Unfortunately, their run was cut short in the second round by 11-seed Dayton. Ennis declared for the draft and was selected 18th overall by the Phoenix Suns.
John Henson, North Carolina (2009-2012)
Elite Eight in 2011, Elite Eight in 2012
The two-time ACC Defensive Player of the Year helped the Tarheels to consecutive trips to the Elite Eight. In 2011, Henson’s UNC squad were topped by former teammate Brandon Knight and the Kentucky Wildcats.
O.J. Mayo, Southern California (2007-2008)
Round of 64 in 2008
In his lone year as a Trojan, Mayo scored 20 points in his tournament debut. It was his only game in the tournament, as USC lost to Michael Beasley and Kansas State in the first round. The two would “square off” again in June when Beasley and Mayo went 2nd and 3rd overall in the NBA Draft.
Khris Middleton, Texas A&M (2009-2012)
Round of 32 in 2010, Round of 64 in 2011
Middleton steadily improved each year throughout his time as an Aggie, reaching the tournament twice in three tries. After an injury-riddled junior season, Middleton headed for the NBA, where he was drafted in the second round by the Detroit Pistons.
Greg Monroe, Georgetown (2008-2010)
Round of 64 in 2010
After not making the tournament in his freshman season, Monroe helped lead the Hoyas to a 3-seed. Unfortunately, the 14-seed Ohio Bobcats upset Georgetown, and Monroe went pro after his sophomore season.
Steve Novak, Marquette (2002-2006)
Final Four in 2003, Round of 64 in 2006
Novak helped lead Marquette to two tournament berths in his four years, most notably as the sharpshooting freshman on the Final Four Marquette team. His teammates included Travis Diener and Dwyane Wade. Maybe you’ve heard of them around these parts before.
Jabari Parker, Duke (2013-2014)
Round of 64 in 2014
Before being the 2nd overall selection by the Bucks in the 2014 NBA Draft, Parker led the Blue Devils to a 3-seed in the 2014 tournament. Their stay was brief, as 14-seed Mercer upset them in the first round. Ask any Bucks fan about what happened next, and it’s safe to say that things worked out in the end for Parker.
Miles Plumlee, Duke (2008-2012)
Sweet Sixteen in 2009, National Champions in 2010, Sweet Sixteen in 2011, Round of 64 in 2012
Plumlee is the only player on the list that can brag about being a National Champion, as his Blue Devils hung on till the very last second against the Butler Bulldogs in 2010. This high was matched with a low in 2012 when the 2-seed Blue Devils lost to 15-seed Lehigh in the first round. Quite the college experience, indeed.
Greivis Vasquez, Maryland (2006-2010)
Round of 32 in 2007, Round of 32 in 2009, Round of 32 in 2010
Though never able to get his Terrapins past the second round of the tournament, General Greivis had a decorated four-year career at Maryland, capped off by winning the Bob Cousy Award in 2010, an honor given to the nation’s top collegiate point guard.