Every Chicago Bulls fan will be anxious about the team’s ability to stay in the hunt for the postseason right about now. As the end of the regular season starts to come into view, the Bulls look like they will be fighting to secure a play-in tournament berth and hopefully extend the season’s play after the middle of April.
A recent good spell of form has boosted confidence in the Bulls staying around a little longer this year but there will be more than a few Chicago fans taking notice of some other big hoops games over the next month. The NCAA’s March Madness has just begun and the excitement and drama of the knockout tournament takes the attention of a lot of NBA fans at this time of year.
Fans figuring out where to bet on March Madness are not the only ones watching college hoops though. There are a number of Bulls players who have fond memories of playing in the competition and we thought we would take a look back at some of their exploits. Hopefully, this will ease the nerves of any Bulls fan at this crucial time of year.
Zach Collins, Gonzaga
He may have only played one year at Gonzaga before making himself eligible for the NBA Draft but Zach Collins still looks back fondly at his time playing college hoops. He was taken by the Sacramento Kings with the 10th overall pick in 2017 but he had previously enjoyed Gonzaga’s run to the championship final at March Madness.
As a freshman, it was natural that much of Collins’ play for the Bulldogs came off the bench but his performances definitely helped with his position in the draft. Gonzaga was a number one seed team in 2017 and Collins registered 14 points and 13 rebounds in the semifinal win over South Carolina. The loss to UNC in the final was only the team’s second that year.
Jevon Carter, West Virginia
Over four years at West Virginia, Carter became one of the best defensive players in college basketball and formed a reputation as a fierce opponent. His ability to force turnovers with the rest of his team made it difficult for opposing teams to get into any kind of rhythm and Carter played at March Madness every year he was a Cavalier.
West Virginia only failed to get past the first round once while Carter was on the court and he helped the Cavaliers reach the Sweet Sixteen three times. In one of those years, it was Zach Collins and the rest of his Gonzaga Bulldogs who ended Carter’s dreams of a championship. Luckily, he has obviously forgiven him, as they now pull together for the Bulls.
Julian Phillips, Tennessee
Second-year forward Julian Phillips is another Chicago Bull who has fond memories of March Madness, even though he also only played one season as a Volunteer. Tennessee is one of the big names in college hoops, of course, and Phillips’ solo season is remembered as the one where the Vols beat Duke in the round of 32.
As a freshman, Phillips played 19 minutes off of the bench in that 65-52 win over the Blue Devils, contributing four points of his own, as well as three rebounds, and two assists. The Vols lost to Florida Atlantic in the Sweet Sixteen and Phillips declared for the draft, where he was taken by the Celtics before landing in Chicago.
Tre Jones, Duke
Speaking of the Blue Devils, Tre Jones is another who has only just become a Bull – but his talent was evident in his two years at Duke. As a five-star recruit, Jones made an immediate impact and the Blue Devils made it all the way to the Elite Eight in his first year of college basketball, in a team that also boasted Zion Williamson.
It was Michigan State who narrowly beat Duke in 2019 by just one point and ended Jones’ hopes of a championship. The COVID-19 pandemic put paid to any hopes of returning for another tilt at March Madness and Jones, along with many others in his position, declared himself eligible for the draft. He was selected by the San Antonio Spurs before arriving in Chicago in February of this year.
Coby White, UNC
They might be good teammates now but Coby White and Tre Jones were once big rivals, as the former was a member of the 2018-2019 North Carolina Tar Heels. White made quite the impression in his solo year in college hoops, passing Michael Jordan on the all-time freshman scoring list.
The Tar Heels did make it to the National Tournament that year, but lost to Auburn in the Sweet Sixteen round. White also broke the North Carolina record for most successful three-point shots In a season, draining an incredible 82. He was then taken by the Bulls as the seventh pick overall in the 2019 NBA Draft, becoming the first Tar Heel since Michael Jordan to make that move.
Chicago Bulls’ power forward showed up when he absolutely needed to on Tuesday
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