A year after their memorable clash in the NCAA Tournament, Terrence Edwards and Chucky Hepburn find themselves embarking on another March Madness journey, this time united as teammates at a different institution. This transition underscores the dynamic and fluid nature of college basketball in the age of the transfer portal.
Last season, Edwards played a key role in James Madison’s upset over Hepburn’s Wisconsin team, scoring 14 points to secure a 72-61 victory in the tournament’s first round. Both athletes opted to transfer during the offseason, joining forces at Louisville. This decision coincided with new coach Pat Kelsey’s major roster overhaul, following a challenging 8-24 season.
Now integral to Louisville’s success, Edwards and Hepburn lead a revitalized team back to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2019. The Cardinals, boasting a 27-7 record, are set to face Creighton (24-10) in Lexington, Kentucky.
Edwards, a 6-foot-6 swingman, earned Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year due to his impressive performance at James Madison, where he also delivered 13 points in a second-round faceoff with Duke. At Louisville, he averages 16.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.6 assists this season.
Hepburn has made his mark as well, earning a spot on the Associated Press all-ACC first-team. The 6-2 senior guard averages 16.2 points, 5.8 assists, and 3.5 rebounds per game, bringing his standout skills from his time as a three-year starter at Wisconsin.
With experience on their side, Edwards and Hepburn aim to leverage past tournament lessons. Edwards highlighted the heightened physicality and emotional stakes of March Madness. “You’ve got seniors out there like me that’s going to leave it all on the line, both ways — our team, their team,” he shared. The tournament’s allure lies in the opportunity and unpredictability that each game presents.
Several other players also find themselves navigating the NCAA Tournament stage once more with new teams:
JaKobe Coles from Grand Canyon faces Maryland and stands out as a first-team all-Western Athletic Conference player. His previous NCAA participation saw him contribute significantly at TCU, amassing 19 points against Utah State.
Vladislav Goldin, now with Michigan, originally shone at Florida Atlantic during their 2023 Final Four run. This season, he averages 16.7 points and 6.8 rebounds and has garnered first-team all-Big Ten accolades.
For Memphis, Tyrese Hunter returns to the tournament scene with experience from Iowa State and Texas. This year, he maintains strong averages of 13.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.5 steals.
Kansas’s Zeke Mayo, who played a pivotal role at South Dakota State, consistently delivers with 14.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 3 assists, proving to be a formidable force once again.
Mark Mitchell, now at Missouri, adds depth with his dual-threat ability as both guard and forward. The season has seen him recover from injury setbacks to continue as a vital contributor.
Finally, JT Toppin has excelled in his role at Texas Tech, averaging remarkable statistics of 18.1 points and 9.2 rebounds, securing recognition as the league’s standout performer.
These narratives echo the ongoing evolution of college basketball, where players embrace opportunities for growth and change, further enriching the tapestry of the NCAA Tournament.
