There are more than 20 local and Kansas connections to March Madness games in Wichita
There will be no shortage of Wichita and Kansas connections when the NCAA Tournament games begin at Intrust Bank Arena on Thursday.
A study of the rosters by The Eagle revealed that more than 20 players, coaches and staffers — from all but one of the eight teams set to play March Madness in Wichita — have some sort of tie to either the local area or state of Kansas.
A trio of Wichita natives will make their homecoming Thursday, but perhaps just as anticipated is the return of beloved former Wichita State player and coach Matt Braeuer, who is an assistant coach for Texas Tech and was recently hired as head coach at Stephen F. Austin.
Braeuer was a standout player for WSU from 2004-08, playing for both Mark Turgeon and Gregg Marshall, then launching his coaching career as a graduate assistant under Marshall from 2008-10. He has steadily progressed since then, latching on to head coach Grant McCasland for five years at North Texas before following him to Texas Tech last season.
Before his 40th birthday, Braeuer will become a Division I head coach following the postseason run with the Red Raiders.
Here’s a look at the other Wichita and Kansas connections coming to Intrust Bank Arena this week.
Wichita natives returning to hometown
Missouri senior guard Caleb Grill
Wichita native who was a standout three-sport athlete at Maize. Has bounced around in a 6-year college career between Iowa State, UNLV and Missouri. Currently enjoying the best year of his college career, averaging 13.7 points on 47.5% shooting and 40.5% accuracy beyond the arc off the bench for the Tigers.
Drake sophomore guard Eli Shetlar
Wichita native who led Andover to its first state championship in his senior year. Played his freshman year at Indiana State before transferring to Drake, where he is redshirting this season for the Bulldogs.
SIU Edwardsville assistant coach Jay Bradley
A 2011 Wichita Heights graduate who has steadily worked his way up in the coaching world. This is his first season at the Division I level, as SIUE is headed to the NCAA Division I Tournament for the first time in school history.
Sunrise Christian connections in March Madness
Texas Tech assistant coach Luke Barnwell
Emporia native who played high school basketball at Bishop Carroll and college basketball at Newman and Emporia State. Later became a successful coach at Sunrise Christian Academy, where he helped propel the program to five straight GEICO National appearances and produce several NBA players.
Missouri junior forward Mark Mitchell
A Kansas City native who played at Bishop Miege, then at Sunrise Christian Academy. After beginning his career at Duke, the 6-foot-8 forward averaged 14.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.0 steals this season for the Tigers.
Georgia senior guard Tyrin Lawrence
A former Sunrise Christian Academy player who averages 8.5 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.4 assists as a starter for the Bulldogs.
Texas Tech sophomore guard Kevin Overton
A former Sunrise Christian Academy player who averages 8.2 points and 3.8 rebounds off the bench for the Red Raiders.
Texas Tech assistant coach Achoki Moikobu
Worked six years as a coach at Sunrise Christian Academy.
Texas Tech graduate assistant Jalyn Turner
A former player at Sunrise Christian Academy.
Texas Tech student manager Armaan Bhakta
A Wichita native and former player at Sunrise Christian Academy.
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Kansas natives back in the Sunflower state
Gonzaga assistant coach Stephen Gentry
A Fort Scott native who was a star high school basketball player in his playing days and has spent the last three seasons on the bench for head coach Mark Few.
Missouri senior guard Tamar Bates
A Kansas City native who won a state championship for Piper. After beginning his career at Indiana, he has played the last two seasons for Mizzou and is averaging 13.4 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.3 steals this season.
SIU Edwardsville junior forward Myles Thompson
A Hutchinson native who helped Barton Community College win a NJCAA national championship last season. In his first season at SIUE, he’s averaging 5.7 points and 4.0 rebounds off the bench.
UNC Wilmington junior center Harlan Obioha
A former multi-sport star at Hoxie, the 7-footer is in his first season for UNCW after beginning his career at Niagra. He is averaging 9.3 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.2 blocks this season as the starting center for the Seahawks.
Missouri junior forward Aidan Shaw
An Overland Park native and former standout at Blue Valley who averages 2.6 points and 1.8 rebounds off the bench for the Tigers.
Drake freshman forward Joey Matteoni
A Kansas City native and recent graduate of Blue Valley Northwest who is redshirting his freshman year at Drake.
Passed through Kansas at one point in career
Drake head coach Ben McCollum
Long before McCollum started winning NCAA Division II national championships, he served as an assistant coach for Emporia State under David Moe from 2005-09.
SIU Edwardsville junior forward Ring Malith
Helped Barton Community College win a NJCAA national championship last season and is averaging 11.5 points and 7.2 rebounds as a starter in his first season at SIUE.
Texas Tech assistant coach Jeff Linder
Former assistant coach at Emporia State from 2001-04.
Georgia assistant coach Erik Pastrana
Former grad assistant at Kansas State from 2007-09 and also worked as an assistant coach at Labette Community College.
Drake assistant coach Jesse Shaw
Former head coach at Pratt Community College from 2011-16 and a former graduate assistant at Emporia State from 2006-08.
SIU Edwardsville assistant coach Ryan Hellenthal
Coached as assistant at Garden City Community College (2002-05) and Coffeyville Community College (2005-08).
This story was originally published March 17, 2025 at 6:56 AM.
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