The Miami Hurricanes basketball team decided to pick up a different sport ahead of their Sweet 16 showdown against Villanova.
For the third time in the history of the Miami Hurricanes basketball team, they are playing in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament. Thursday, the ‘Canes will look to advance to the Elite Eight for the first time in program history as they face a Villanova team ranked No. 1 overall at various points this season.
While all 16 teams left are focused on getting to the next round, head coach Jim Larranaga is trying to keep his ‘Canes from getting too tense for what is the most important game in program history. Inside their Louisville, Kentucky hotel, Larranaga had his players forget all about the hardwood to enjoy some time on the diamond. Well, a makeshift diamond in the hotel’s ballroom:
As the Miami Hurricanes coach said, this has been a tradition that dates back to his time as the head coach at both Bowling Green and George Mason.
If the Miami Hurricanes can get past Villanova and advance to the Elite Eight for the first time, they will take on the winner of the other game in the South Region, which features the Kansas Jayhawks and the Maryland Terrapins.
Miami finished in a tie for second place in the ACC regular season this year, their best finish since winning the conference outright in 2012-13. Many experts think the Hurricanes have a shot at pulling the upset (seed wise, as the ‘Canes are the third seed and Villanova is the second seed).
For more NCAA March Madness news, check out our NCAA March Madness hub page.