March Memories: How Current Pacers Fared in the NCAA Tournament

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      1 / 40With the 2023 NCAA Tournament getting underway, we decided to take a look back at how current Pacers fared in March during their college careers. 13 players on the current Pacers roster have played in the NCAA Tournament, with six reaching the Sweet Sixteen, three playing in the Elite Eight, two in the Final Four, and one making it to the national championship game. Click through for a look back at each player's NCAAA Tournament memories.

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      thumbnail-image: With the 2023 NCAA Tournament getting underway, we decided to take a look back at how current Pacers fared in March during their college careers. 13 players on the current Pacers roster have played in the NCAA Tournament, with six reaching the Sweet Sixteen, three playing in the Elite Eight, two in the Final Four, and one making it to the national championship game. Click through for a look back at each player's NCAAA Tournament memories.
      thumbnail-image: James Johnson helped Wake Forest win 24 games as a sophomore in 2008-09. The Demon Deacons earned a four seed in the NCAA Tournament, but were upset by 13th-seeded Cleveland State in the first round. Johnson played well in the loss, tallying 22 points while going 4-for-5 from 3-point range, eight rebounds, and four blocks in what was his last college game, as he declared for the NBA Draft after the season.
      thumbnail-image: James Johnson helped Wake Forest win 24 games as a sophomore in 2008-09. The Demon Deacons earned a four seed in the NCAA Tournament, but were upset by 13th-seeded Cleveland State in the first round. Johnson played well in the loss, tallying 22 points while going 4-for-5 from 3-point range, eight rebounds, and four blocks in what was his last college game, as he declared for the NBA Draft after the season.
      thumbnail-image: James Johnson helped Wake Forest win 24 games as a sophomore in 2008-09. The Demon Deacons earned a four seed in the NCAA Tournament, but were upset by 13th-seeded Cleveland State in the first round. Johnson played well in the loss, tallying 22 points while going 4-for-5 from 3-point range, eight rebounds, and four blocks in what was his last college game, as he declared for the NBA Draft after the season.
      thumbnail-image: Pacers center Myles Turner spent just one year in college and played in just one NCAA Tournament game. 11th-seeded Texas fell in the first round in 2015 to Butler (a team that featured Turner's future Pacers teammate Kelan Martin), 56-48. Turner played 16 minutes in the loss, tallying two points, 10 rebounds, and one block.
      thumbnail-image: Pacers center Myles Turner spent just one year in college and played in just one NCAA Tournament game. 11th-seeded Texas fell in the first round in 2015 to Butler (a team that featured Turner's future Pacers teammate Kelan Martin), 56-48. Turner played 16 minutes in the loss, tallying two points, 10 rebounds, and one block.
      thumbnail-image: Pacers center Myles Turner spent just one year in college and played in just one NCAA Tournament game. 11th-seeded Texas fell in the first round in 2015 to Butler (a team that featured Turner's future Pacers teammate Kelan Martin), 56-48. Turner played 16 minutes in the loss, tallying two points, 10 rebounds, and one block.
      thumbnail-image: Tyrese Haliburton played in just one NCAA Tournament game. His Iowa State Cyclones received the sixth seed in the Midwest Regional in 2019, Haliburton's freshman season. But Iowa State by an Ohio State team that featured Haliburton's future Pacers teammate Duane Washington Jr. Haliburton played 38 minutes in the loss, finishing with four points and two steals.
      thumbnail-image: Tyrese Haliburton played in just one NCAA Tournament game. His Iowa State Cyclones received the sixth seed in the Midwest Regional in 2019, Haliburton's freshman season. But Iowa State by an Ohio State team that featured Haliburton's future Pacers teammate Duane Washington Jr. Haliburton played 38 minutes in the loss, finishing with four points and two steals.
      thumbnail-image: Tyrese Haliburton played in just one NCAA Tournament game. His Iowa State Cyclones received the sixth seed in the Midwest Regional in 2019, Haliburton's freshman season. But Iowa State by an Ohio State team that featured Haliburton's future Pacers teammate Duane Washington Jr. Haliburton played 38 minutes in the loss, finishing with four points and two steals.
      thumbnail-image: Jordan Nwora played in the NCAA Tournament once over three years at Louisville. That game came in his sophomore season in 2019, when the seventh-seeded Cardinals faced 10th-seeded Minnesota. Nwora tallied 10 points and 11 rebounds, but Louisville dropped the game, 86-76.
      thumbnail-image: Jordan Nwora played in the NCAA Tournament once over three years at Louisville. That game came in his sophomore season in 2019, when the seventh-seeded Cardinals faced 10th-seeded Minnesota. Nwora tallied 10 points and 11 rebounds, but Louisville dropped the game, 86-76.
      thumbnail-image: Jordan Nwora played in the NCAA Tournament once over three years at Louisville. That game came in his sophomore season in 2019, when the seventh-seeded Cardinals faced 10th-seeded Minnesota. Nwora tallied 10 points and 11 rebounds, but Louisville dropped the game, 86-76.
      thumbnail-image: Trevelin Queen and New Mexico State nearly pulled off a major upset in 2019. The 12th-seeded Aggies gave fifth-seeded Auburn all they could handle in the first round, but ultimately fell 78-77. The Tigers wound up going on to the Final Four. Queen tallied 14 points, five rebounds, six assists, and two steals in the near-upset.
      thumbnail-image: Trevelin Queen and New Mexico State nearly pulled off a major upset in 2019. The 12th-seeded Aggies gave fifth-seeded Auburn all they could handle in the first round, but ultimately fell 78-77. The Tigers wound up going on to the Final Four. Queen tallied 14 points, five rebounds, six assists, and two steals in the near-upset.
      thumbnail-image: Trevelin Queen and New Mexico State nearly pulled off a major upset in 2019. The 12th-seeded Aggies gave fifth-seeded Auburn all they could handle in the first round, but ultimately fell 78-77. The Tigers wound up going on to the Final Four. Queen tallied 14 points, five rebounds, six assists, and two steals in the near-upset.
      thumbnail-image: Jalen Smith had an excellent NCAA Tournament debut in 2019 as a freshman at Maryland. He tallied 19 points on 8-of-9 shooting and 12 rebounds to lead the sixth-seeded Terrapins past Belmont in the first round. He followed that up with 15 points, eight rebounds, and five blocks in the next round, but Maryland fell to LSU. Maryland won a share of the Big Ten regular-season title in 2020, but the cancellation of the NCAA Tournament abruptly ended Smith's sophomore season and he then declared for the NBA Draft.
      thumbnail-image: Jalen Smith had an excellent NCAA Tournament debut in 2019 as a freshman at Maryland. He tallied 19 points on 8-of-9 shooting and 12 rebounds to lead the sixth-seeded Terrapins past Belmont in the first round. He followed that up with 15 points, eight rebounds, and five blocks in the next round, but Maryland fell to LSU. Maryland won a share of the Big Ten regular-season title in 2020, but the cancellation of the NCAA Tournament abruptly ended Smith's sophomore season and he then declared for the NBA Draft.
      thumbnail-image: Jalen Smith had an excellent NCAA Tournament debut in 2019 as a freshman at Maryland. He tallied 19 points on 8-of-9 shooting and 12 rebounds to lead the sixth-seeded Terrapins past Belmont in the first round. He followed that up with 15 points, eight rebounds, and five blocks in the next round, but Maryland fell to LSU. Maryland won a share of the Big Ten regular-season title in 2020, but the cancellation of the NCAA Tournament abruptly ended Smith's sophomore season and he then declared for the NBA Draft.
      thumbnail-image: Kendall Brown enrolled at Baylor the year after the Bears captured their first national championship. With Brown in the fold, Baylor earned a number one seed in 2022. The Bears cruised past Norfolk State in the first round as Brown tallied four points and three rebounds. But Baylor was knocked off in the second round by North Carolina. Brown had six points, five rebounds, and three steals in his final collegiate game.
      thumbnail-image: Kendall Brown enrolled at Baylor the year after the Bears captured their first national championship. With Brown in the fold, Baylor earned a number one seed in 2022. The Bears cruised past Norfolk State in the first round as Brown tallied four points and three rebounds. But Baylor was knocked off in the second round by North Carolina. Brown had six points, five rebounds, and three steals in his final collegiate game.
      thumbnail-image: Kendall Brown enrolled at Baylor the year after the Bears captured their first national championship. With Brown in the fold, Baylor earned a number one seed in 2022. The Bears cruised past Norfolk State in the first round as Brown tallied four points and three rebounds. But Baylor was knocked off in the second round by North Carolina. Brown had six points, five rebounds, and three steals in his final collegiate game.
      thumbnail-image: Oshae Brissett helped lead Syracuse on a run from the First Four to the Sweet Sixteen as a freshman in 2018. The 6-8 forward had 23 points and 12 rebounds in the Orange's play-in victory over Arizona State. 11th-seeded Syracuse then upset TCU and Michigan State before falling to second-seeded Duke in the Midwest regional semifinal. Brissett averaged 17 points and 9.3 rebounds over the run. Syracuse returned to the tournament the next season, but the ninth-seeded Orange fell to Baylor in the first round. Brissett tallied 14 points and eights rebounds in his final collegiate game.
      thumbnail-image: Oshae Brissett helped lead Syracuse on a run from the First Four to the Sweet Sixteen as a freshman in 2018. The 6-8 forward had 23 points and 12 rebounds in the Orange's play-in victory over Arizona State. 11th-seeded Syracuse then upset TCU and Michigan State before falling to second-seeded Duke in the Midwest regional semifinal. Brissett averaged 17 points and 9.3 rebounds over the run. Syracuse returned to the tournament the next season, but the ninth-seeded Orange fell to Baylor in the first round. Brissett tallied 14 points and eights rebounds in his final collegiate game.
      thumbnail-image: Oshae Brissett helped lead Syracuse on a run from the First Four to the Sweet Sixteen as a freshman in 2018. The 6-8 forward had 23 points and 12 rebounds in the Orange's play-in victory over Arizona State. 11th-seeded Syracuse then upset TCU and Michigan State before falling to second-seeded Duke in the Midwest regional semifinal. Brissett averaged 17 points and 9.3 rebounds over the run. Syracuse returned to the tournament the next season, but the ninth-seeded Orange fell to Baylor in the first round. Brissett tallied 14 points and eights rebounds in his final collegiate game.
      thumbnail-image: COVID-19 forced the cancellation of the 2020 NCAA Tournament, where Chris Duarte and the Pac-12 champion Oregon Ducks would have had a high seed. Duarte got his chance to play in the tournament the next season, however, as the Ducks reached the Sweet Sixteen. It was a strange experience for the seventh-seeded Ducks as their first-round opponent, VCU, was forced to withdraw from the tournament due to a COVID outbreak. In the second round, the Ducks then upset second-seeded Iowa, 95-80, as Duarte scored 23 points on 9-of-12 shooting and dished out seven assists. Oregon fell to Pac-12 rivals USC in the Sweet Sixteen despite 21 points, five rebounds, six assists, and three steals from Duarte.
      thumbnail-image: COVID-19 forced the cancellation of the 2020 NCAA Tournament, where Chris Duarte and the Pac-12 champion Oregon Ducks would have had a high seed. Duarte got his chance to play in the tournament the next season, however, as the Ducks reached the Sweet Sixteen. It was a strange experience for the seventh-seeded Ducks as their first-round opponent, VCU, was forced to withdraw from the tournament due to a COVID outbreak. In the second round, the Ducks then upset second-seeded Iowa, 95-80, as Duarte scored 23 points on 9-of-12 shooting and dished out seven assists. Oregon fell to Pac-12 rivals USC in the Sweet Sixteen despite 21 points, five rebounds, six assists, and three steals from Duarte.
      thumbnail-image: COVID-19 forced the cancellation of the 2020 NCAA Tournament, where Chris Duarte and the Pac-12 champion Oregon Ducks would have had a high seed. Duarte got his chance to play in the tournament the next season, however, as the Ducks reached the Sweet Sixteen. It was a strange experience for the seventh-seeded Ducks as their first-round opponent, VCU, was forced to withdraw from the tournament due to a COVID outbreak. In the second round, the Ducks then upset second-seeded Iowa, 95-80, as Duarte scored 23 points on 9-of-12 shooting and dished out seven assists. Oregon fell to Pac-12 rivals USC in the Sweet Sixteen despite 21 points, five rebounds, six assists, and three steals from Duarte.
      thumbnail-image: Arizona couldn't play in the NCAA Tournament in Bennedict Mathurin's freshman season due to a self-imposed postseason ban. The Wildcats were arguably the best team in the country in 2021-22, going 33-4 as Mathurin was named Pac-12 Player of the Year and a second-team All-American. Arizona received a number one seed in the South region and advanced to the Sweet Sixteen. Mathurin had 18 points and five rebounds in a first-round win over Wright State and 30 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and two steals in a second-round victory over TCU. Mathurin went just 4-for-14 from the field in the Sweet Sixteen matchup with fifth-seeded Houston, as the Cougars knocked off the Wildcats. Mathurin finished his final college game with a stat line of 15 points, four rebounds, and three assists.
      thumbnail-image: Arizona couldn't play in the NCAA Tournament in Bennedict Mathurin's freshman season due to a self-imposed postseason ban. The Wildcats were arguably the best team in the country in 2021-22, going 33-4 as Mathurin was named Pac-12 Player of the Year and a second-team All-American. Arizona received a number one seed in the South region and advanced to the Sweet Sixteen. Mathurin had 18 points and five rebounds in a first-round win over Wright State and 30 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and two steals in a second-round victory over TCU. Mathurin went just 4-for-14 from the field in the Sweet Sixteen matchup with fifth-seeded Houston, as the Cougars knocked off the Wildcats. Mathurin finished his final college game with a stat line of 15 points, four rebounds, and three assists.
      thumbnail-image: Arizona couldn't play in the NCAA Tournament in Bennedict Mathurin's freshman season due to a self-imposed postseason ban. The Wildcats were arguably the best team in the country in 2021-22, going 33-4 as Mathurin was named Pac-12 Player of the Year and a second-team All-American. Arizona received a number one seed in the South region and advanced to the Sweet Sixteen. Mathurin had 18 points and five rebounds in a first-round win over Wright State and 30 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and two steals in a second-round victory over TCU. Mathurin went just 4-for-14 from the field in the Sweet Sixteen matchup with fifth-seeded Houston, as the Cougars knocked off the Wildcats. Mathurin finished his final college game with a stat line of 15 points, four rebounds, and three assists.
      thumbnail-image: T.J. McConnell did not make the NCAA Tournament during his first two seasons at Duquesne, but was part of a pair of deep runs after transferring to Arizona. The Wildcats earned the top seed in the West region in 2014 and reached the Elite 8, where they suffered a heartbreaking 64-63 overtime loss to Wisconsin. McConnell had 12 points, six assists, and three steals in a second-round win over Gonzaga and 11 points, four rebounds, and three assists in the Sweet 16 against San Diego State. Arizona was a two seed McConnell's senior season and once again advanced to the Elite 8, only to fall once again to Wisconsin. McConnell scored in double figures in all four games in that tournament run, averaging 15.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals. He had 19 points, six rebounds, six assists, and five steals in a win over Ohio State in the second round, 17 points, seven boards, and five assists in the Sweet 16 against Xavier, and 14 points, five assists, and two steals in the Elite 8.
      thumbnail-image: T.J. McConnell did not make the NCAA Tournament during his first two seasons at Duquesne, but was part of a pair of deep runs after transferring to Arizona. The Wildcats earned the top seed in the West region in 2014 and reached the Elite 8, where they suffered a heartbreaking 64-63 overtime loss to Wisconsin. McConnell had 12 points, six assists, and three steals in a second-round win over Gonzaga and 11 points, four rebounds, and three assists in the Sweet 16 against San Diego State. Arizona was a two seed McConnell's senior season and once again advanced to the Elite 8, only to fall once again to Wisconsin. McConnell scored in double figures in all four games in that tournament run, averaging 15.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals. He had 19 points, six rebounds, six assists, and five steals in a win over Ohio State in the second round, 17 points, seven boards, and five assists in the Sweet 16 against Xavier, and 14 points, five assists, and two steals in the Elite 8.
      thumbnail-image: T.J. McConnell did not make the NCAA Tournament during his first two seasons at Duquesne, but was part of a pair of deep runs after transferring to Arizona. The Wildcats earned the top seed in the West region in 2014 and reached the Elite 8, where they suffered a heartbreaking 64-63 overtime loss to Wisconsin. McConnell had 12 points, six assists, and three steals in a second-round win over Gonzaga and 11 points, four rebounds, and three assists in the Sweet 16 against San Diego State. Arizona was a two seed McConnell's senior season and once again advanced to the Elite 8, only to fall once again to Wisconsin. McConnell scored in double figures in all four games in that tournament run, averaging 15.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals. He had 19 points, six rebounds, six assists, and five steals in a win over Ohio State in the second round, 17 points, seven boards, and five assists in the Sweet 16 against Xavier, and 14 points, five assists, and two steals in the Elite 8.
      thumbnail-image: Buddy Hield played in 10 games NCAA Tournament games over his four years at Oklahoma. The Sooners were knocked out in the first round in Hield's freshman and sophomore seasons, but had great success in his final two years on campus. The Sooners earned a three seed in Hield's junior season and beat Albany and Dayton to advance to the Sweet Sixteen before falling to Michigan State. Hield averaged 17 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3 assists in that tournament run. Hield's senior season was a magical one. He averaged 25 points per game and won numerous National Player of the Year awards. The Sooners received the second seed in the 2016 NCAA Tournament and wound up winning the West Regional to advance to the Final Four. Hield was named the Regional's Most Outstanding Player. He scored 27 points in a first-round win over Cal State Bakersfield, then followed that up with 36 points against VCU. He recorded a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds in a Sweet Sixteen victory over Texas A&M, then dropped 37 points and went 8-for-14 from 3-point range in the Elite Eight as the Sooners knocked off top-seeded Oregon. Oklahoma's run ended in the Final Four against eventual national champion Villanova, where Hield scored nine points.
      thumbnail-image: Buddy Hield played in 10 games NCAA Tournament games over his four years at Oklahoma. The Sooners were knocked out in the first round in Hield's freshman and sophomore seasons, but had great success in his final two years on campus. The Sooners earned a three seed in Hield's junior season and beat Albany and Dayton to advance to the Sweet Sixteen before falling to Michigan State. Hield averaged 17 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3 assists in that tournament run. Hield's senior season was a magical one. He averaged 25 points per game and won numerous National Player of the Year awards. The Sooners received the second seed in the 2016 NCAA Tournament and wound up winning the West Regional to advance to the Final Four. Hield was named the Regional's Most Outstanding Player. He scored 27 points in a first-round win over Cal State Bakersfield, then followed that up with 36 points against VCU. He recorded a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds in a Sweet Sixteen victory over Texas A&M, then dropped 37 points and went 8-for-14 from 3-point range in the Elite Eight as the Sooners knocked off top-seeded Oregon. Oklahoma's run ended in the Final Four against eventual national champion Villanova, where Hield scored nine points.
      thumbnail-image: Buddy Hield played in 10 games NCAA Tournament games over his four years at Oklahoma. The Sooners were knocked out in the first round in Hield's freshman and sophomore seasons, but had great success in his final two years on campus. The Sooners earned a three seed in Hield's junior season and beat Albany and Dayton to advance to the Sweet Sixteen before falling to Michigan State. Hield averaged 17 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3 assists in that tournament run. Hield's senior season was a magical one. He averaged 25 points per game and won numerous National Player of the Year awards. The Sooners received the second seed in the 2016 NCAA Tournament and wound up winning the West Regional to advance to the Final Four. Hield was named the Regional's Most Outstanding Player. He scored 27 points in a first-round win over Cal State Bakersfield, then followed that up with 36 points against VCU. He recorded a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds in a Sweet Sixteen victory over Texas A&M, then dropped 37 points and went 8-for-14 from 3-point range in the Elite Eight as the Sooners knocked off top-seeded Oregon. Oklahoma's run ended in the Final Four against eventual national champion Villanova, where Hield scored nine points.
      thumbnail-image: Andrew Nembhard played in the most NCAA Tournament games of any player on the Pacers roster, competing in 11 tournament games over the course of his career. As a freshman at Florida, Nembhard helped the 10th-seeded Gators knock off Nevada in the first round of the 2019 tournament before falling to second seed Michigan in the next round. Nembhard averaged 7.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 6.5 assists, and 2.5 steals over those two games. Nembhard transferred to Gonzaga after the COVID-shortened 2020 season. In 2020-21, Nembhard was a starter for a Bulldogs team that entered the 2021 NCAA Tournament in Indiana with a perfect record of 26-0. The Bulldogs reeled off five straight wins to reach the national title game, but were knocked off by Baylor for the championship. Highlights for Nembhard over the run included a 17-point, eight-assist performance against Creighton in the Sweet Sixteen and an 11-points, eight-assist outing against UCLA in the Final Four. Gonzaga once again earned a number one seed in 2022 in Nembhard's senior season, but the Bulldogs were upset by fourth-seeded Arkansas in the Sweet Sixteen. Nembhard had 11 assists in a first-round win over Georgia State and 23 points in a second-round victory over Memphis. He closed his college career with seven points, seven rebounds, three assists, and three steals in the loss to Arkansas.
      thumbnail-image: Andrew Nembhard played in the most NCAA Tournament games of any player on the Pacers roster, competing in 11 tournament games over the course of his career. As a freshman at Florida, Nembhard helped the 10th-seeded Gators knock off Nevada in the first round of the 2019 tournament before falling to second seed Michigan in the next round. Nembhard averaged 7.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 6.5 assists, and 2.5 steals over those two games. Nembhard transferred to Gonzaga after the COVID-shortened 2020 season. In 2020-21, Nembhard was a starter for a Bulldogs team that entered the 2021 NCAA Tournament in Indiana with a perfect record of 26-0. The Bulldogs reeled off five straight wins to reach the national title game, but were knocked off by Baylor for the championship. Highlights for Nembhard over the run included a 17-point, eight-assist performance against Creighton in the Sweet Sixteen and an 11-points, eight-assist outing against UCLA in the Final Four. Gonzaga once again earned a number one seed in 2022 in Nembhard's senior season, but the Bulldogs were upset by fourth-seeded Arkansas in the Sweet Sixteen. Nembhard had 11 assists in a first-round win over Georgia State and 23 points in a second-round victory over Memphis. He closed his college career with seven points, seven rebounds, three assists, and three steals in the loss to Arkansas.
      thumbnail-image: Andrew Nembhard played in the most NCAA Tournament games of any player on the Pacers roster, competing in 11 tournament games over the course of his career. As a freshman at Florida, Nembhard helped the 10th-seeded Gators knock off Nevada in the first round of the 2019 tournament before falling to second seed Michigan in the next round. Nembhard averaged 7.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 6.5 assists, and 2.5 steals over those two games. Nembhard transferred to Gonzaga after the COVID-shortened 2020 season. In 2020-21, Nembhard was a starter for a Bulldogs team that entered the 2021 NCAA Tournament in Indiana with a perfect record of 26-0. The Bulldogs reeled off five straight wins to reach the national title game, but were knocked off by Baylor for the championship. Highlights for Nembhard over the run included a 17-point, eight-assist performance against Creighton in the Sweet Sixteen and an 11-points, eight-assist outing against UCLA in the Final Four. Gonzaga once again earned a number one seed in 2022 in Nembhard's senior season, but the Bulldogs were upset by fourth-seeded Arkansas in the Sweet Sixteen. Nembhard had 11 assists in a first-round win over Georgia State and 23 points in a second-round victory over Memphis. He closed his college career with seven points, seven rebounds, three assists, and three steals in the loss to Arkansas.