Although tonight’s Milwaukee vs. Orlando game is the top priority for Bucks players, another game is lingering in the minds of a few members of the team. The North Carolina Tar Heels and Syracuse Orange face off tomorrow in the Final Four of the 2016 NCAA Tournament, and three alums are extra eager to see how the matchup plays out.
Bucks guards Michael Carter-Williams and Tyler Ennis both played for Syracuse, while forward John Henson spent his college days at North Carolina. Needless to say, there has been a lot of discussion between the three Bucks this week regarding their respective squads.
“There has been some talk,” Carter-Williams said with a laugh. “They [North Carolina] think it’s going to be an easy win because they’re the higher seed. We haven’t had the best season, but we’re winning when it counts. I’m just telling everyone not to count us out, that’s all.”
Carter-Williams and Ennis are taking a calm approach into the matchup, as they are proud and excited for their alma mater, but they understand they are up against a very talented team in the Tar Heels.
“Michael and Tyler have been pretty quiet because they know it’s going to take a lot for Syracuse to get the win,” Henson said. “But anything can happen, so we’ll see.”
Henson, on the other hand, is exuding all the confidence in the world with his banter.
“John never stops,” Ennis explained. “He wears Tar Heels gear around us all the time. Everything’s North Carolina for him. He’s been trash-talking all year. It’s good that we get a chance to go at them, but they have a really strong team. It’ll be a great game.”
Carter-Williams, Ennis and Henson are actually planning to watch the game together. They can all agree on one thing, that it should be a phenomenal game.
“It’s a great story because some people didn’t even think Syracuse would be in the tournament,” Ennis said of the Orange. “Seeing them fight through that to get to this point is really good for the team.”
The last time Syracuse appeared in the Final Four was in 2013 when Carter-Williams was leading the charge as the team’s point guard.
“It was an unbelievable feeling when we got to the Final Four,” Carter-Williams recalled. “It was one of the best times of my life, so I know they’re enjoying it. For them to be back in that position is great. All of us alums are supporting them a lot.”
Henson is extremely happy to see his former team in this position after they’ve endured a few difficult seasons.
“It’s really great, especially for the senior class,” Henson said. “They struggled their first three years, so for them to finally get it together like this is a really good sight to see. I couldn’t be more excited for them.”
Teammates tonight and opponents tomorrow, the friendly competition between the three Bucks will continue to intensify leading up to the big game. Will the Orange or Tar Heels come out on top? Who will win the trash-talking title?
Let the countdown begin, and may the best team win.
#qp_main637621 .qp_btna:hover input {background: rgb(0, 53, 95) none repeat scroll 0% 0%!important} #qp_all637621 {max-width:792px; margin:0 auto;}Who's team will win?John's Tar HeelsMichael and Tyler's Orangemen
Article written by Erika Johnson for tonight's Game Program
Get Tickets for Tonight's Game Against the Magic