Times have changed in college sports over the last several years with the ever-increasing influence of Name, Image, and Likeness and the growing widespread use of the transfer portal.

While much of the publicity has been on college football, the basketball court has also changed dramatically in that same time.

Now, both the Alabama and Auburn men’s basketball teams have found their way into the Sweet Sixteen for the first time since 1986, partly thanks to NIL and the transfer portal.

A graphic shared on X showed where the starting 5 from all the remaining teams in the NCAA tournament began their college careers. The two SEC schools were included.

Where every Sweet 16 Team’s Starting-5 began playing college basketball.
(Try to figure out which teams are which) pic.twitter.com/MPomf1dyuT

— NCAA Buzzer Beaters & Game Winners (@NCAABuzzerBters) March 25, 2025

While there are exceptions such as Purdue, Michigan State, and Duke, a huge amount of the teams remaining – including both the Tide and Tigers – do not have much homegrown talent.

With Mark Sears coming from Ohio, Grant Nelson from North Dakota State, Chris Youngblood originally from Kennesaw State before going to South Florida, Clifford Omoruyi coming from Rutgers, and only freshman Labaron Philon starting in Tuscaloosa, it’s quite the eclectic collection of players.

The Tigers are not much different than Alabama, with Johni Broome starting his college career at Morehead State, Chad Baker-Mazara at Duquesne, Miles Kelly at Georgia Tech, Denver Jones at Florida International, and only Dylan Cardwell at Auburn.

The way things are going, don’t expect things to change anytime soon.