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BLOG POST: Canadians Making Noise in March Madness

By Gerrel Ramirez, 03/26/19, 10:15AM EDT

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NCAA March Madness is a tournament where the best college basketball players and teams compete for the final four and cutting of the net if they win it all. Every year there are Canadians that compete in it but this year it’s different they are not just part of the team anymore but they are the leaders of it.

 

There are 19 Canadians that partake in this year’s edition of the March Madness tournament. The key Canadians to watch and look forward to this tournament are Duke’s Rj Barrett, Gonzaga’s Brandon Clarke and Virginia Tech’s Nickeil Alexander-Walker.

 

Mississauga’s Own Rj Barrett has the biggest chance to win the tournament amongst Canadians with his team Duke Blue Devils seeding number 1 in their region and also by playing alongside the potential NBA #1 draft pick Zion Williamson who is known for his high flying ability. Barrett averaged 23.0 ppg, 7.7rpg and 4.1 apg in the season. He recently made the game-winning shot against the 9th ranked University of Central Florida in their second round game 77-76. Barrett and the Blue devils are set to play fellow Canadian Nickeil Alexander- Walker and his Virginia Tech Hokies in the sweet sixteen this Friday.

 

Nickeil Alexander- Walker a Toronto native is the leader of the 5th rank Hokies and as far as his playing style he can do it all he is a 6’5 shooting guard that can create plays and make shots. He averaged 16.7 ppg, 4.1 rpg and 3.9 apg in the season. Battling the Blue devils will surely be a struggle for the Hokies but playing tough and efficient defense will be the key for them against the offensive prowess of the Blue Devils. Alexander – Walker is also the cousin and former teammate of Canadian Shai Gilgeous- Alexander that plays for the Los Angeles Clippers. The two have a close relationship.

 

Another Canadian to watch is Vancouver native Brandon Clarke playing for number 1 ranked Gonzaga Bulldogs. In their second round game Clarke scored 36 points which is a record for the highest scoring point in the tournament history for a Bulldog. The 6’8 forward’s playing style is attacking the basket, he averaged 17.0 ppg and 8.4 rpg. Clarke and The Bulldogs are set to face the number 4 ranked Florida State Seminoles.

 

The quality of Canadians improves every year in the tournament and they are certainly making a noise. That’s also terrific since we are continuing to see the progress and growth of Canada Basketball. The sport of Basketball is only growing in Canada and it hasn’t reached its peak yet.

 

NCAA Final Four commence in April 6, 2019 and the national championship game is in April 8th, 2019

 

As far as the NBA goes, for this Canadian stars Barrett, Clarke and Alexander- Walker are all expected to be drafted in this years NBA draft.