Four Former Bucs Headed to March Madness
Four former Florida SouthWestern State Buccaneers are headed to the Big Dance this week as Berrick JeanLouis (Iona), DeLazarus Keys (Texas A&M- Corpus Christi), DJ Wilkins (Drake), and Mohamed Sylla (Boise State) have all punched their tickets to the NCAA Tournament which begins on Tuesday.
FORT MYERS, Fla.- Four former Florida SouthWestern State Buccaneers are headed to the Big Dance this week as Berrick JeanLouis (Iona), DeLazarus Keys (Texas A&M- Corpus Christi), DJ Wilkins (Drake), and Mohamed Sylla (Boise State) have all punched their tickets to the NCAA Tournament which begins on Tuesday.
JeanLouis is making his second trip to the NCAA Tournament with Iona this season after also helping the Gaels to the Big Dance in 2021 where he squared off against then Alabama and now Sacramento King FSW teammate Keon Ellis. Jean Louis played in 31 games for Iona this season, starting 29, averaging 7.8 points and 4.2 rebounds per game. But JeanLouis greatest value comes on the defensive end where he was named the MAAC Defensive Player of the Year, leading a Gael defense that led the conference in opponents field goal percentage this season. Iona earned a #13 seed for the NCAA Tournament and will take on UConn Friday in the first round.
It is back to back trips to the NCAA Tournament for Keys and Texas A&M- Corpus Christi as the Islanders claimed the Southland Conference Championship for the second straight year in 2023. Keys was a key cog in the Islanders success this season, playing in 31 games and drawing 23 starts on the inside. He put up 6.2 points and 5.6 rebounds per game, shooting 47% from the floor in the process. Keys and the Islanders will be in action in one of the 'First Four' games on Tuesday when they take on Southeast Missouri State.
Wilkins will also make his second appearance in the Big Dance after also going in 2021 with former FSW teammates Tremell and Anthony Murphy. Wilkins started 33 of 34 games for the Bulldogs this season, averaging 8.2 points per game while drilling a team high 68 three pointers. Wilkins currently sits in 3rd place in Missouri Valley Conference history with 305 career made three pointers. Wilkins' Missouri Valley Conference Champion Bulldogs drew a #12 seed for the tournament and will take on 5th seeded Miami in the first round on Friday.
Sylla reaches the NCAA Tournament with Boise State who was an at-large selection after falling in the Mountain West Tournament semifinals to Utah State. Sylla has played in 18 games for the Broncos this season, shooting 52% from the field on the year. Sylla and the Broncos are a #10 seed for the tournament and will take on 7th seeded Northwestern in the first round on Thursday in Sacramento.