College hoops' NBA Finals connections

Good morning! Tyrese Haliburton sure can play, huh?

Let’s get to the news.

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1. Before they played in NBA Finals, they …

The NBA Finals opened Thursday night with an amazing Game 1. Tyrese Haliburton’s game-winner capped a remarkable comeback by the Pacers. Haliburton’s been doing this kind of thing throughout the playoffs, and even before he hit the pros.

This feature from Matt Norlander chronicles his rise from a 3-star recruit at Iowa State to an NBA All-Star and a Team USA Olympic gold medalist.

He’s also not the only former college hoops star in the finals.

Here’s a rundown of the five best college hoops teams the members of the Pacers and the Thunder played on.

Adam Flagler (OKC) — 2020-21 Baylor

Flagler was the 6th man for the NCAA Tournament-winning Bears, averaging 9.1 ppg off the bench for a loaded Baylor squad. He eventually became a full-time starter and multi-time All-Big 12 player for Baylor before playing for the Thunder. He’s made 37 appearances this season.

Andrew Nembhard (Indiana) — 2020-21 Gonzaga

The 6-5 playmaker produced 9.2 ppg and 4.4 apg for the 1-loss Bulldogs that season, whose only defeat was to Flagler and the Baylor in the title game. His play alongside Jalen Suggs foreshadowed his ability to thrive next to a primary ball-handler. He now starts next to Haliburton. 

Jaylin Williams (OKC) — 2021-22 Arkansas

Before carving out a spot in the Thunder rotation, Williams was a starter for the Razorbacks' Elite Eight run, which included an upset of 1-seed Gonzaga. During that Sweet 16 win, Williams produced 15 points and 12 rebounds.

Chet Holmgren (OKC) — 2021-22 Gonzaga

Holmgren was a former No. 1 high school prospect who was an All-American in his lone college season, producing 14 ppg, 10 rpg, and nearly four blocks a game. Gonzaga was the No. 1 team in KenPom that season before getting tripped up by Williams and Arkansas in the Sweet 16. 

Bennedict Mathurin (Indiana) — 2021-22 Arizona

Mathurin’s a former Pac-12 Player of the Year and All-American who led the Wildcats to a 33-4 record and a Sweet 16 appearance during Tommy Lloyd’s first season. Mathurin went for 30 points and eight rebounds in an OT Round of 32 win over TCU.

An honorable mention for Obi Toppin (Pacers), the 2020 AP Player of the Year winner at Dayton. The Flyers went 29-2 and posted an unbeaten A-10 regular season. Had COVID not shut everything down, they were a likely top 2 seed and a Final Four contender.

2. Villanova lands another ex-Terp + more transfer news

When Kevin Willard left Maryland for Villanova, he brought two players with him: Braden Pierce and Malachi Palmer,

Now make it three former Terps.

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