Jermaine Couisnard shares emotional story after record-setting game in NCAA Tournament
The No. 11 seed Oregon Ducks are moving on in the NCAA Tournament. The Ducks ousted the No. 6 seed South Carolina Gamecocks on Thursday evening, thanks in large part to an unbelievable performance by Jermaine Couisnard.
He erupted for 40 points in Oregon’s convincing 87-73 victory. The 40-point explosion was the most points scored in an NCAA Tournament game since Purdue’s Carsen Edwards scored 42 points against Virginia in the 2019 Elite Eight.
Jermaine Couisnard delivered an unforgettable performance
Following the game, he spoke with Evan Washburn on the court. How did he put on such a spectacular show on one of the biggest stages?
“My teammates, man. I wouldn’t be here without them guys. For the last month, the last week, these guys put the ball in my hands to make plays….I wouldn’t be nothing without those guys,” Couisnard said.
The win had to have been extra special for him, since it was against his former squad. He spent the first three seasons of his college basketball career with South Carolina, before moving onto Oregon for the last two. He also stuffed the stat sheet with four rebounds and six assists.
Couisnard’s grandmother and mother traveled to Pittsburgh from Chicago for the game. It was the first game his grandmother had gotten to watch him in person this year. How much did it mean to him to have her in attendance for such a historic performance?
“Everything man. It’s my grandmom’s first game here this season. I knew I had to make sacrifices for her. Just one day. That’s all I dreamed of for her to come to one of my games, man. And she was able to come tonight,” Couisnard noted.
Oregon is officially one of the hotter teams in the 2024 NCAA Tournament, having won their fifth straight game, including their impressive run to the Pac-12 Tournament Championship. What kind of confidence are the Ducks bringing into the second round?
“Man, just compete, man,” Couisnard began. “I feel like we’ve just gotta play defense and defend every game. Once we defend like tonight, I feel like we give ourselves a chance.”
What’s the key in his team’s upcoming matchup against the Creighton Bluejays? “Just keep defending. That’s the key to the tournament. If we defend and rebound, we’ll have a good chance. And not turn the ball over,” the Oregon guard explained.
No. 11 seed Oregon and No. 3 seed Creighton will square off in the second round of the Midwest Regional. That one is slated for Saturday, March 23rd. Tip-off is set for 1:00 PM EST.