The Knicks have a few players who are rooting for the Kentucky Wildcats during this year’s March Madness tournament.
Obi Toppin’s younger brother, Jacob, is a starting forward on the Kentucky team. The Wildcats, seeded sixth in the East Region, will face No. 11 Providence on Friday in Greensboro, N.C.
If they advance to the Sweet 16, they will play at Madison Square Garden on March 23, but the Knicks play that night in Orlando. The Knicks have an off night at home on Sunday, March 25, during the Elite Eight.
Jacob Toppin played for Rhode Island before transferring to Kentucky in 2020.
He ranks second on the Wildcats (21-11) in rebounding (6.9 per game) and third in points (12.5), assists (2.2), and minutes played (31.5) over 31 appearances.
Senior big man Oscar Tshiebwe leads the team with 16.5 points and 13.1 boards per game.
There is also a Villanova Wildcats faction in the Knicks’ locker room with Josh Hart joining former NCAA championship teammate Jalen Brunson following a deadline deal with Portland.
Ryan Arcidiacono, a part of the package the Knicks sent to the Blazers for Hart, is also a Villanova alum.
These Wildcats finished 17-17 this season, missing the NCAA Tournament for only the second time in 18 seasons.
On their four-game West Coast trip, the Knicks improved their road record for the season to 22-14, which is tied for the most road wins in the league.
It also marks their first winning record away from Madison Square Garden since 2012-13, and just their second over the past 26 seasons.
During the Lakers-Knicks game, the author spotted Spike Lee and Denzel Washington sitting courtside together.
The previous day, Jeff Garlin of “Curb Your Enthusiasm” fame stopped by to say hello to the New York scribes during the game against the Clippers.
»Wildcats in the Knicks locker room: a March Madness story«
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