Dutch players in the NCAA Tournament
Yesterday, it was Selection Sunday and it became clear which teams would participate in the 2018 NCAA Tournament. In total, 68 teams are going to the Big Dance, and it will all start tomorrow. On April 2nd, we’ll know which teams has crowned itself the Champion. Among those 68 teams, are three (and a half) Dutch players. We’ve highlighted these Dutch players on the list below.
Julius van Sauers
Julius van Sauers plays for the LIU Brooklyn Blackbirds. He is currently in his second season with the Blackbirds, as he red-shirted his first year after only playing five games that season. This season, Van Sauers is averaging 11.1 minutes, 2 points and 2.2 rebounds per game. Today, LIU will play it’s first game against Radford.
Matt Haarms
Matt Haarms plays for the Purdue University. This is only his first official year on the team, as he red-shirted his first year with Purdue. This season, Haarms is averaging 16.5 minutes, 4.8 points and 3.1 rebounds per game. Purdue will play their first game on Friday against Cal State Fullerton.
Jordy Kuiper
Jordy Kuiper plays for the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. It’s Kuiper’s fifth year with UNCG, as he red-shirted his third year. This season he is averaging 27.1 minutes, 7.1 points and 4.7 rebounds per game. On Thursday, the Spartans will play their first game in the tournament against Gonzaga.
Killian Tillie
If we’re talking about Gonzaga, we’ll have to mention Killian Tillie. Though Tillie isn’t Dutch but French, he does have a Dutch mother, former Dutch volleyball international Caroline Keulen. This season, Tillie is averaging 26.1 minutes, 13.4 points, 6 rebounds and 1 block per game. Their first game is against Kuiper’s UNCG.
