The NCAA Tournament is an event that annually makes dreams become realities.
For Seth Trimble, one of his biggest dreams is set to come to fruition on Friday afternoon when the UNC basketball program takes on Ole Miss in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Trimble, a Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin native, will have his first opportunity to play a college basketball game in his home state. In case you're unfamiliar with the area, Trimble's hometown is about a 20 minute ride from the Fiserv Forum, the home of the Milwaukee Bucks, so you expect, as is typically the case, that the Seth Trimble fan club will be rolling deep for this game.
Ahead of Friday afternoon's contest, Trimble reflected on how special this moment is to him:
"It’s amazing. I’ve always dreamed of a moment like this, especially at the collegiate level. I know it will come at the next level, but this isn’t something that comes every single day at this level. To have this blessing and this opportunity to have some people who maybe can’t make it to North Carolina or can’t make it out anywhere else to be able to make it to this game is amazing.
I’ve never played here at the Fiserv, so it’s a dream come true for me."
He went on to discuss the moment when the Tar Heels found out they were NCAA Tournament bound, as the junior guard saw that he, and his teammates, would be heading to his home state with a win in the First Four.
"Seeing it on TV, I was in shock. I got chills. A couple days before, I was talking about how crazy it would be if we got a bid in Milwaukee. It came through in the moment. I was stuck on the couch with a blank expression. But there was so many chills going through my body.
It will be the same once I run out of the tunnel tomorrow. To be able to play and in Milwaukee, right next to my hometown, play in front of my family, in front of my friends. Run out of the tunnel I’ve always dreamed about playing in, I’m sure it will be an amazing experience. I’m looking forward to it."
It's going to be a very special moment for Trimble and his family. While Trimble and the Tar Heels will be focused on keeping their season alive, it's safe to say the junior guard will take some time to let the moment sink in, as his hard work and dedication has led him to earn this opportunity to compete at the collegiate level at a place where he's likely watched countless NBA games in the past.
Seth Trimble certainly won't need any extra motivation, as you can expect a very loud ovation for him when he enters the game for the first time on Friday afternoon.