Toronto Raptors’ March Madness history from Anunoby to Watson
Toronto Raptors: DeAndre’ Bembry’s appearances from 2014, 2016
One of the “City 6” schools in Philadelphia, Saint Joseph’s University enjoys an esteemed basketball history, one that features current Raptors bench contributor DeAndre’ Bembry.
As a freshman in 2014, Bembry was an integral part of the 10th-ranked Hawks team that pushed eventual tournament champions No. 7 Connecticut to the brink in the Round of 64. Bembry played 45 minutes and dropped 16 points, but UConn prevailed in overtime, 89-81.
After a one-year hiatus from March Madness, St. Joe’s returned in 2016 as an eight seed. Another 40-minute night from Bembry saw the Hawks past No. 9 Cincinnati, as St. Joseph’s advanced to face…
Chris Boucher with the Oregon Ducks in 2016
Due to the fact that he goes by @slimmduck on Instagram, it’s safe to say Chris Boucher is pretty proud of his time as an Oregon Duck.
His sole year of tournament basketball came with first-ranked Oregon in 2016. After dispatching No. 16 Holy Cross in the first round, Boucher met Bembry and St. Joe’s. While Bembry logged another 40 minutes and 16 points, Boucher was rendered ineffective (1/3, two points). Still, the Ducks were too much, and they eked out the victory, 69-64.
Despite not being at his best against Saint Joseph’s, Boucher provided a solid 18 minutes and 11 points in Oregon’s Sweet 16 win over No. 4 Duke. In their Elite Eight matchup with No. 2 Oklahoma, Boucher pulled down 10 boards and dropped 14 points in a losing effort.
Boucher was robbed of more tournament experience when he tore his ACL in the 2017 Pac-12 tournament, one week before Oregon embarked on another March Madness run.
Terence Davis with the Ole Miss Rebels in 2019
The only current Raptor to have played in the most recent NCAA Tournament, Terence Davis’ time in March Madness was short.
A veteran of 121 college games, Davis came into his own during his senior season, leading Ole Miss to a berth in the tournament as an eight seed.
Davis dropped a team-high 17 points in the Rebels’ first round matchup with No. 9 Oklahoma, but it wasn’t enough. Ole Miss fell to the Sooners, 95-72.
Stanley Johnson with the Arizona Wildcats in 2015
Although the Stanimal only played one season of college ball, he made the most of his experience in the tournament.
The only Raptor to have played for a coach who has been wire-tapped by the FBI (at least that we know of), Johnson’s status as the third-ranked recruit from his high school class led to him starting immediately for soon-to-be-embroiled coach Sean Miller.
After a stellar regular season, Johnson went to town on No.15 Texas Southern in the first round, dropping 22 points. After an off night against No.10 Ohio State in the Round of 32, he scored 12 points, snagged six boards and hit two threes in the Wildcats’ Sweet 16 win over No. 6 Xavier. Arizona’s time was up in the Elite Eight, however, as Johnson was held to six points by No.1 Wisconsin.