NBA

March Madness: The best tournament moments from the Aussies

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#MIlls #Broekhoff #Bogut

March Madness has arrived!

Over the years, there's been plenty of Aussies to make it to the NBA and even more at the collegiate level, with a host of memorable performances.

Take a look back at some of the best moments and games from Aussie players during their time in the NCAA Tournament.

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Matthew Dellavedova, St. Mary's

2010, Round of 32 vs. Villanova - 14 points, four rebounds

#Dellavedova

In Delly's first season with the Gaels, they upset the highly-favoured Villanova Wildcats to advance to the Sweet Sixteen - their second-ever appearance in the Sweet Sixteen and their first since 1959.

The freshman guard poured in 14 points and four rebounds - knocking down a pair of clutch free throws to seal the win. 

Dellavedova went on to finish his college career as Saint Mary's all-time leader in scoring, assists, games played, free throw percentage and three-point shots.

Patty Mills - St. Mary's

2009, First Round vs. Miami - 24 points, five assists, two rebounds, one steal

#Mills

In his two seasons at St. Mary's Patty Mills and the Gaels made the NCAA Tournament once in his second season, but were eliminated in the first round by Miami (78-64).

Despite the loss, Mills was a one-man machine in that game, pouring in 24 of his team's 64 points as the only player to score in double figures. 

Andrew Bogut - Utah

2005, Round of 32 vs. Oklahoma - 10 points, 11 rebounds, seven assists, two blocks

#Bogut

Prior to being selected as the No.1 overall pick in the draft, Bogut impressed in the Tournament to lead the Utes to victory, 67-58 over third-seed Oklahoma to book their first Sweet Sixteen appearance in seven years.

Andrew Gaze - Seton Hall

1989, Final Four vs. Duke - 20 points, four rebounds, three assists. 

Andrew Gaze played a huge role in helping the Pirates to the 1989 Championship game, where they eventually lost 80-79 to Michigan.

Against a Danny Ferry-led Duke outfit, Gaze was at his offensive best, leading the team in scoring on an efficient 7-of-14 from the field and 4-of-9 from the three-point line.  

Ryan Broekhoff - Valparaiso

2013, Horizon League semi-final vs. Green Bay - 25 points, six rebounds, four assists, 5-of-9 3PT

#Broekhoff

The reigning Horizon League Player of the Year, Aussie Ryan Broekhoff saved the biggest shot of his college career for when it mattered most, to give his team shot at the NCAA Tournament.

Trailing by two points against Green Bay, after a missed free throw, Broekhoff took it coast-to-coast, hit the right to left crossover and pulled up from beyond the arc to win the game at the buzzer, 70-69. 

They went on to beat Wright State in the championship game and advance to the NCAA Tournament, before losing in the first round to No. 3 seed Michigan State 65-54.

 

Author(s)
Benyam Kidane Photo

Benyam Kidane is a senior NBA editor for The Sporting News.