WATCH: Florida State wins on unbelievable Matthew Cleveland shot at buzzer vs. UVA
Florida State’s Matthew Cleveland delivered a crushing blow to the Virginia Cavaliers’ NCAA Tournament hopes on Saturday, with a buzzer-beating three pointer as time expired. Check out the miraculous shot he hit that silenced the crowd in John Paul Jones Arena.
It was one of the best game winners of the 2021-2022 college basketball season.
Down 63-61, Florida State had just one second remaining on the clock, but was able to get a pass in just beyond half court to Cleveland, who caught the ball, immediately turned, and heaved up a prayer. His prayer was answered, and the ball went through the hoop, nothing but net. The Seminoles prevailed in stunning fashion, 64-63. Virginia was in control of the game for much of the contest, but their double-digit lead slowly started to unravel late in the second half.
The buzzer-beater gives Florida State one of their biggest wins in what has otherwise, been a very disappointing season for them. They’ve dealt with a numerous injuries on their roster. For Virginia, they’re likely officially knocked out of the NCAA Tournament.
The Cavaliers had played themselves near the bubble recently by sweeping the Miami Hurricanes and stunning the Duke Blue Devils, 69-68 in Durham. Virginia currently sits at 17-12 overall on the season, including 11-8 in the ACC. Now, their only hope of making it to the big dance is winning the ACC Tournament. Otherwise, they’re heading for the NIT.
Florida State has had a knack for hitting game-winners in John Paul Jones Arena in years past. On Dec. 31, 2016, Dwayne Bacon delivered a game-winning dagger against the Cavaliers with two seconds left to lift Florida State to victory.
Before Cleveland hit his miraculous buzzer beater, Virginia’s Armaan Franklin nailed a shot from just beyond the free throw line that put the Cavaliers up 63-61 with one second left. Check that out.
Virginia will finish out their regular season at Louisville on Saturday, March 5. That one will begin at noon EST on ESPN. Florida State now sits at 15-13 overall and they will face Notre Dame (March 2) and N.C. State (March 5) to close out their regular season.