The Past and The Future: Looking at the Mavs Alma Mater’s

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Feb 25, 2017; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Harrison Barnes (40) and forward Dorian Finney-Smith (10) knock the ball away from New Orleans Pelicans guard Jrue Holiday (11) during the second half at the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks defeated the Pelicans 96-83. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

Still Fighting

Those who still have their former college team in the mix for the NCAA tournament include Harrison Barnes (North Carolina), Dorian Finney-Smith (Florida), Devin Harris (Wisconsin), Nerlens Noel (Kentucky), A.J. Hammons (Purdue), and Manny Harris (Michigan). Former Mavericks from this season, Quincy Acy and Pierre Jackson (Baylor) and Deron Williams (Illinois, NIT) would still be active as well.

Potential UNC vs. UK in Elite Eight

The North Carolina Tar Heels are looking at a matchup with the Butler Bulldogs on Friday but, with a win, could be seeing Nerlens Noel’s former team, the Kentucky Wildcats in the Elite Eight matchup.

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Harrison Barnes played only two years with the Tar Heels, but had decent success making it to the Elite Eight in 2011 before falling to Kentucky, and then again falling in the Elite Eight to the Kansas Jayhawks in 2012.

Nerlens Noel, on the other hand, played at Kentucky for only the 2012-13 season before entering the NBA Draft. Noel tore his ACL during that year and had no impact on the postseason, which is a good thing considering Kentucky missed the NCAA tournament a year after winning it. To top it all off, Kentucky ended up losing in the first round of the NIT to Robert Morris, 59-57.

Wisconsin vs. Florida in Sweet Sixteen

Unlike the previous matchup, we are guaranteed to see this one. The Florida Gators made easy work of the Virginia Cavaliers in the second round while Wisconsin pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the tournament, knocking off Villanova in the second round.

Now these two teams look to face each other on Friday, March 24th in a Sweet Sixteen matchup that Devin Harris and Dorian Finney-Smith will both be following. The #8 seed Wisconsin Badgers are the underdog in this game as #4 Florida has been playing lights out in the tournament so far.

Mar 17, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Devin Harris (34) looks to pass during the third quarter of the game against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center. The Philadelphia 76ers won the game 116-74. Mandatory Credit: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports /

Devin Harris played for Wisconsin for three seasons and did fairly well in the tournament for a questionable Wisconsin team at the time. In 2002, the Badgers made the tournament as an #8 seed but lost in the second round to eventual champions, Maryland. In 2003, Wisconsin made it all the way to the Sweet Sixteen before falling to Kentucky. In his last year, Devin Harris and the Badgers made it only to the second round where they fell to Pittsburgh.

Dorian Finney-Smith on the other hand, played four years of college ball, the first with Virginia Tech and last three with Florida before going undrafted and joining the Mavs. In his first year in 2012, the Hokies did not make the tournament.

After losing a year from his transfer to Florida, the Gators went to the tourney in 2014 as one of the favorites to win it all and went all the way to the Final Four before falling to the UConn Huskies. In 2015 and 2016, the Gators missed the NCAA tournament altogether. Florida did go to the NIT in 2016 but lost in the Elite Eight to George Washington.

Dec 18, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks center A.J. Hammons (20) defends against Sacramento Kings forward DeMarcus Cousins (15) during the second quarter at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

Potential Purdue vs. Michigan in Elite Eight

This one seems like a bit of a stretch as both Michigan and Purdue are the worse seeds in their respective matchup. The Michigan Wolverines are another team that had a big upset in the tournament with a tough win over Oklahoma State and then another gutsy victory over Louisville. Michigan has won both games by a combined 4 points.

Meanwhile, Purdue has quietly made short work of Vermont and Iowa State, both of which had upset potential over the higher seeded Boilermakers. Now Purdue gets a much more difficult test as they face top seeded Kansas in the Sweet Sixteen. Michigan, meanwhile, faces a tough Oregon Ducks team.

Manny Harris is on a 10-day contract with the Dallas Mavericks right now and has taken a long road to get here. Despite his travels of the NBA, Harris had a strong 3-year career with Michigan. During his time there, the Wolverines actually missed the tournament in 2008, but in 2009 they won their first game over Clemson before falling to #2 seed Oklahoma. In 2010, the Wolverines missed the tournament again.

A.J. Hammons, meanwhile, is still fresh off his time with Purdue. Playing with the team from 2012-2016. In 2013 and 2014, the Boilermakers did not make the tournament, but in 2015 Purdue entered the tourney as a #9 seed. Unfortunately they lost to Cincinnati in the first round. In 2016, Purdue came in as a #5 seed, but fell apart in double overtime and lost to Arkansas- Little Rock.

Purdue and Michigan could meet in the Elite Eight if both teams beat their respective opponents.

Oct 28, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Houston Rockets center Clint Capela (15) and Dallas Mavericks forward Quincy Acy (4) fight for the loose ball during the first half at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

Potential Baylor vs. Either Wisconsin or Florida in Elite Eight

The last chance for a Mavs Alma mater battle really isn’t that at all, seeing as the Mavs have released both of their former Baylor Bears. Quincy Acy and Pierre Jackson both spent some time with the team this season, but neither could quite cut out enough playing time to justify a spot on the roster to Coach Carlisle.

Quincy Acy was with Baylor from 2008-2012, while Pierre Jackson was with the Bears only from 2011-13. In 2009, Acy and Baylor did not make the NCAA tournament. In 2010, the Bears went all the way to the Elite Eight before falling to the eventual champions, Duke. In 2011, Baylor missed the tournament again.

For the 2012 tournament, Acy and Jackson were teammates in Baylor and went to the Elite Eight once again, this time falling to eventual champions in the Kentucky Wildcats. In jackson’s last year with Baylor, the Bears missed the tournament once again.

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Obviously not all of these matchups are going to happen and none of them will create any kind of rivalry between the Mavericks players, but it is fun to see the player’s former teams playing against each other. No matter what happens, March Madness is always a special time of year.