March Madness is upon us. And while Colorado doesn’t have a team in the NCAA Tournament, there are a few players with local ties. Here’s a look:
Gonzaga guard Josh Perkins
The highest-profile player from Colorado, the senior point guard from Regis Jesuit High School is the heart and soul of the No. 1-seeded Bulldogs. In 33 starts, Perkins has averaged 11.0 points, 2.8 rebounds and a team-leading 6.5 assists. Earlier this season, he moved into No. 1 spot in career assists in school history. He is also 10 assists away from tying Gonzaga’s single-season assist record.
Michigan guard Luke Wilson
The 6-foot sophomore from Boulder High joined the Wolverines as a preferred walk-on. In nine games this season, he’s played 17 minutes and recorded two rebounds.
Iona guard Ben Perez
Perez spent a season at the Air Force Academy Prep School before coming to Iona. The 6-4 junior is averaging 8.3 points and 3.6 rebounds for the Gaels this season.
Not quite Colorado, but has a tie: Old Dominion guard B.J. Stith
The 6-5 senior is the team captain and is averaging 16.9 points and 7.4 rebounds in 34 starts. He’s the son of former Nuggets captain Bryant Stith, who is also one of Old Dominion’s assistant coaches.
Over in the NIT, there are also a number of players with Colorado ties (including the entire CU Buffs squad):
- Indiana junior forward De’Ron Davis (Overland): 5.4 points, 2.6 rebounds in 27 games
- Harvard junior guard Justin Bassey (Colorado Academy): 9.1 points, 6. 6 rebounds in 25 games
- Providence junior guard Alpha Diallo (Denver West): 16.1 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.1 assists in 33 games
- Xavier freshman guard Keonte Kennedy (born in Aurora): 2.0 points, 1.4 rebounds in 22 games
- San Diego junior guard Andy Nelson (Holy Family): 1 game
— , The Denver Post
💥 A special offer for Sports Omelette readers! for the first month and only $6.99/month thereafter. Cancel anytime.
What’s on Tap?
- Avalanche: at Minnesota Wild, 6 p.m. Tuesday, ALT |
- CU basketball: Dayton, 9 p.m. Tuesday, ESPN2 |
TV/RADIO: Here’s what sports are airing today
Scoreboard
NBA: Nuggets 114, Celtics 105
Full story |
.
Must-Read
“Itap party time, man”: Nuggets earn playoff berth years in the making
A vision born out of pain from the last two agonizing seasons was finally realized Monday night when the Nuggets secured their first playoff spot of the Michael Malone era, Mike Singer writes.
Broncos Mailbag: Now this is a change — readers praise John Elway
Broncos beat writer Ryan O’Halloran fields questions from Broncos fans who, gasp, actually give praise to general manager John Elway? Read more…
Rockies’ Chad Bettis, another year wiser, ready to regain rotation spot
There was a time, not so long ago, when Chad Bettis was an emerging force in the Rockies’ starting rotation. That was before testicular cancer struck in 2017. And that was before mysterious finger blisters wrecked his 2018 season, Patrick Saunders writes.
Quick Hits
+ 🔊 Broncos podcast: How high-priced free agency moves shape future roster.
+ Kiszla vs. Singer: What could Nuggets do with No. 2 seed in the playoffs?
+ Isaiah Thomas on his Boston homecoming: “Right now I need that love”
+ Lunch Special: Why in the world did the Broncos let Matt Paradis go?
+ Rockies Recap: Kyle Freeland experiments in win over the Reds, while Ryan McMahon blasts a 466-foot homer.
+ Speaking of McMahon, his red hot spring is starting to bear a resemblance to what Trevor Story did in 2016.
+ With Carlos Gonzalez moving on from the Rockies, here’s a look back at his time in Colorado.
+ Desperate for answers, the Avalanche might stick with a hodgepodge lineup at Minnesota.
+ Mel Tucker and the CU Buffs hit the football field together for the first time Monday.
+ March Madness 2019: The perfect bracket to win your NCAA Tournament pool.
+ March Madness 2019: Most likely upsets for NCAA Tournamentap first round.
+ March Madness 2019 gambling guide: Will the underdogs have their day at the NCAA tournament?
+ The NCAA women’s basketball tournament bracket was leaked early Monday, spoiling the surprise of Baylor as the top seed.
+ Mikaela Shiffrin tops ski World Cup money list with record $885K.
Post Mailbag forms
+ Broncos Mailbag: Have a question about the team? .
+ Nuggets Mailbag: Have a question about the team? .
+ Avs Mailbag: Have a question about the team? .
+ Rockies Mailbag: Have a question about the team? .
By The Numbers
31,424
Points scored by Dirk Nowitzki in his 21-year NBA career, putting him ahead of Wilt Chamberlain on the all-time list and behind only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Karl Malone, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Michael Jordan. Read more…
Parting Shot
ESPN’s Dick Vitale says itap time the NCAA paid players
Here’s the best reason to believe Joe Flacco can cut it as a legitimate starting quarterback in a football-crazy city that chased away Case Keenum as a hopeless wannabe. Read more…
Get in Touch
If you see something thatap cause for question or have a comment, thought or suggestion, email me at dboniface@denverpost.com or tweet me .
