Men's basketball returns to NCAA Tournament, to play UW-Platteville

WESTERVILLE – We're in!

Claiming the final spot of the 21 coveted at-large bids, the Otterbein University men's basketball team will head to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2002. Putting together an impressive resume of 22-5 and a trip to the OAC Tournament Championship, the Cardinals earned the respect of the selection committee and will head to The University of Chicago to play Wisconsin-Platteville on Friday.

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This is the 14th NCAA Tournament trip for Otterbein. The four-team regional, hosted by UChicago features the host Maroons, Otterbein, UW-Platteville and Penn State-Behrend. Otterbein boats the OAC Co-Coach of the Year in Andy Winters, who has led the program to the most wins in a season since 2002.

SCOUTING OTTERBEIN (22-5, 13-3 OAC): Despite a heartbreaking loss in the OAC Tournament Championship, the Cardinals did just enough in the regular season to punch their ticket to the NCAA Tournament.

The leader of the squad on both sides of the ball, First Team All-OAC selection Julian Heckman averages 13.4 PPG, coming off a 20-point evening on Saturday. The senior also has impressive stat lines across the board, collecting 4.7 RPG, dishing out 5.4 APG and recording 2.7 steals per game. Heckman is joined in the backcourt by fellow senior Reece Huber and sophomore Micah Germany, who have been crucial pieces this season for the Cardinals on both offense and defense.

Troy Scowden adds 9.5 points per game, shooting 61.5 percent from the floor this season. Another All-OAC pick for the Cardinals, the senior's veteran presence and leadership are critical in the post. Scowden is flanked by junior Chase Garito, who contributes 9.0 PPG and leads the team with 21 blocks. Otterbein's third All-OAC pick, Jarius Jones, has put together a masterful senior year, averaging 13 PPG and 5.1 RPG.

OAC Freshman of the Year Dominic Theado scores 9.4 PPG and is tied for the team lead with Jones, corralling just over five rebounds per game. He and classmate Carter Piatt-Brown have started 25 of the team's 27 games this year, with Piatt-Brown ranking second on the team in total assists (66).

SCOUTING UW-PLATTEVILLE (18-9, 9-5 WIAC): Another at-large bid was secured by the Pioneers, who fell 66-56 in the WIAC Tournament Semifinals to UW-Whitewater. In a daunting conference that features four NCAA Tournament teams, the Pioneers are making their third consecutive trip to the dance.

Bristol Lewis's 15 points per game pace Platteville, connecting on 40 percent of his 3-pointers. Senior Joey Fuhremann turns in a formidable stat line of 12.6 PPG and a team-high 7.1 RPG. In their last two NCAA Tournament trips, the Pioneers have fallen in heartbreaking fashion, both in coming in overtime.

The following are the scheduled start times for this weekend's First and Second Rounds, with the winner from the regional earning a spot in the Sweet Sixteen.

Friday, March 6 | NCAA First Round (Round of 64)
Game 1: Otterbein (22-5, 13-3 OAC) vs. UW-Platteville (18-9, 9-5 WIAC) - 5:40 p.m. EST / 4:40 p.m. CST
Game 2: Penn State-Behrend (20-7, 14-2 AMCC) vs. UChicago (21-4, 11-3 UAA) - 8:10 p.m. EST / 7:10 p.m. CST

Saturday, March 7 | NCAA Second Round (Round of 32)
Game 3: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner - 8:10 p.m. EST / 7:10 p.m. CST

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Players Mentioned

#24 Chase Garito: F; 6' 8"; Junior

#33 Micah Germany: G; 6' 1"; Sophomore

#13 Julian Heckman: G; 6' 0"; Senior

#23 Reece Huber: G; 6' 3"; Senior

#1 Jarius Jones: G; 6' 6"; Redshirt Senior

#20 Troy Scowden: C; 6' 7"; Senior

#12 Carter Piatt-Brown: G; 6' 3"; Freshman

#21 Dominic Theado: F; 6' 6"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#24 Chase Garito
: 6' 8"; Junior
: F

#33 Micah Germany
: 6' 1"; Sophomore
: G

#13 Julian Heckman
: 6' 0"; Senior
: G

#23 Reece Huber
: 6' 3"; Senior
: G

#1 Jarius Jones
: 6' 6"; Redshirt Senior
: G

#20 Troy Scowden
: 6' 7"; Senior
: C

#12 Carter Piatt-Brown
: 6' 3"; Freshman
: G

#21 Dominic Theado
: 6' 6"; Freshman
: F