As another NCAA men's basketball tournament approaches (and no - last night does not count), it is time to pay homage to basketball's history. There is no better way to do that than to celebrate the breaking of records long held. This will occur tomorrow, March 20, at approximately 12:30 Eastern Daylight Time when Michigan State takes the Court. At that time the record for NCAA consecutive tournaments played will be broken.
This record can only be broken by a good not great player, as the truly talented like Kevin Durant and Carmelo Anthony only stay for one year, while others jump to the NBA after 2, 3 or 4 seasons. That is why this year we send a hearty congratulations to Drew Neitzel, who will be appearing in his 9th consecutive NCAA tournament breaking the record of 8 that he held jointly with Duke's Bobby Hurley, Seton Hall's Arturas Karnishovas, Connecticut's Jim Leahy and Indiana's Damon Bailey. (Hmmmm - I wonder if there is a connection among all these players, perhaps something colorful?)
It truly is amazing for a college basketball player to spend 9 years in college, but it certainly seems longer in Netizel's case. He is good enough to be important in every game he plays, but not great enough to leave college for the NBA, or at all for that matter. No press conference has been scheduled to see if Neitzel will return to college next year, but perhaps it is best if that announcement comes after Michigan State ends its tourney run.
Our almost sincerest congratulations to Drew Neitzel for breaking this unbelievable (literally) record.
Please note - the actual record for most NCAA tournament games played is 23, by Christian Laettner. The actual record for most NCAA games played is 151 held by Kentucky's Wayne Turner. It only seems like Neitzel has played over 5,000.
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