No 6. Xavier Tillman Sr., Michigan State
When: March 31, 2019
Game: Elite 8, Michigan State vs Duke
Grizzlies reserve big man Xavier Tillman Sr. had himself a game in the Elite 8 round of the 2019 March Madness tournament.
The Grand Rapids native recorded an efficient 9 points, 9 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 blocks in a big win over blue blood power house Duke.
No 2. Michigan State upset No. 1 Duke 68-67 before succumbing to future Grizzlies teammate Jarrett Culver and Texas Tech in the Final Four.
Tillman was eventually selected with the No. 35 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft.
No 5. Dillon Brooks, Oregon
When: March 24, 2016
Game: Sweet 16, Oregon vs Duke
Dillon “The Villain was the same old tormentor that we’ve come to love and appreciate him for as a Memphis Grizzlies player.
His No. 1 Oregon Ducks defated No. 4 Duke 82-68. Brooks was electric, recording 22 points, 6 assist and 5 rebounds.
Brooks was such a pest, he got under the skin of legendary college basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski, who had some words for Brooks during the post-game handshake line.
Brooks unnecessarily threw up a three pointer while Duke had yielded to Oregon in the final seconds. Oregon was up 79-68 and Brooks shot a long three right before the buzzer and it went in to run up the score.
The Grizzlies would go on to acquire Brooks with the No. 45 overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft.
No 4. Jarrett Culver, Texas Tech
When: March 22, 2019
Game: Round 1, Texas Tech vs Northern Kentucky
Reserve player Jarrett Culver, who has only shown flashes of the potential we saw during his March Madness performances, had a truly epic game in the opening round of the tournament.
Culver recorded a season-high 29 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists— coming pretty darn close to that ever-elusive collegiate triple double.
No. 3 Texas Tech easily defeated No. 14 Northern Kentucky 72-57. Culver went on to be his team’s leading scorer in four of his team’s six March Madness games in 2019.
The Red Raiders had a great run, defeating No. 2 Michigan, No. 1 Gonzaga and No. 2 Michigan State before losing in the National Championship game vs. No. 1 Virginia.
Culver went on to become the No. 6 overall pick in the 2019 draft.