We’re in the midst of the Madness that’s inherent to March, but let’s take a second to check out some of the best off-the-court moments from the hoops world—in college and pro alike! 🏀 ⬇️

Today’s Lineup

🏀 Fit Check: NCAA Coaches Edition

While we typically focus on the outfits of NBA stars, we wanted to look back at some fashion icons of the 90s.

Oh, and they were pretty good college basketball coaches, too.

John Thompson championed Georgetown’s glory days in the 80s, and he donned a towel over his shoulder on the sidelines in tribute to his mother (who would always do the same while working in the kitchen). When Thompson passed away in 2020, many college coaches paid tribute by replicating the signature look. 

Now, it’s these three blue blood coaches who have had 5 ⭐️ recruits in a stranglehold for the past few decades. Coach Roy Williams retired in 2021 from His Airness’ alma mater, so naturally UNC’s skipper had a ridiculous collection of Jordans. Coach K typically kept it classy with a suit (or in this case, a PE teacher fit). Lastly, we found this pic of Coach Calipari looking groovy in a pleated suit.

👨‍🏫 Substitute Teacher Mikal

A few weeks ago, Mikal Bridges pulled up to New York’s P.S. 134 to help teach elementary school math, social studies, and music! He even balled out in recess… duh. And we loved watching Bridges help this little girl with a math problem 🥲. He’s one of those wholesome hoopers who’s impossible not to love—props to Professor Mikal!

How many NBA players from Ireland can you name? If you said more than one, your pants are flaming, mate.

In fact, there’s only been one NBA player EVER to have been born in Ireland. Pat Burke (could that name be any more Irish?) was born in Dublin, played college ball at Auburn University, and appeared in 127 NBA games from 2002-2007 as a center for the Magic and the Suns.

As the NBA gets more and more international, will there be more Irishmen in the NBA? We don’t know, but we do know that Kevin Huerter wants everyone to put more respect on the ginger hoopers… 😂 

In today’s NBA, we would bestow the crown of “Most Irish NBA Player” to Pat Connaughton. Not only is his name super Irish, but he played college basketball for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and, admittedly, looks just a tinyyyy bit like a leprechaun. 

Signing Off

We’ll leave you here! Come tonight, there will only be 16 teams left in March Madness. What are the odds of picking a new perfect bracket from here? We might have to ask Professor Bridges to run the math on that one. 😅

-Conor Geelan