WATCH: Miami cuts down the nets for last Final Four berth, knocks out Texas
The Miami Hurricanes are the fourth and final team traveling to Houston for the Final Four this season, having eliminated Texas on Sunday. After the win, coach Jim Larranaga and his team cut down the nets in the Midwest region as they reached their first Final Four appearance in school history.
Miami earns trip to Final Four
Not only did Miami have cause to celebrate their team’s achievements this year before buckling down for the final games of the season — fans of the sport had a chance to appreciate the success of coach Jim Larranaga as well. Last season, Miami fought to the Elite Eight, another milestone year for the program, but Larranaga and his team felt like they were capable of reaching that next level.
One year later, they achieved their goal and secured a spot in one of the most prestigious places a college team can find themselves. Next up could be their toughest challenge yet however, with a dominant UConn team up ahead.
Texas led by as many as 13 points in the second half before Miami battled back to take a 73-72 lead with 5:32 remaining on an and-one play from Norchad Omier. That completed a 13-2 run for the Hurricanes as the Longhorns were held without a field goal for nearly four minutes.
From there, the teams traded scores as the game was tied three more times. However, Miami scored six straight points on free throws to take an 85-79 lead with 24 seconds and pull away for good.
Jordan Miller scored 26 points, four of which came on late free throws, to lead the Hurricanes in the win. All five Miami starters finished with double figures as the team shot on efficient 29-of-49 (59.1%) from the field and 30-of-34 from the foul line.
Nijel Pack hits craziest shot of tournament, waived off
The first half of Sunday’s matchup showed that Miami was playing with juice from early on, as Nijel Pack hit one of the best shots of the tournament — that didn’t count. Pack was forced towards the sideline as he drove to the basket, and threw up an incredibly difficult shot attempt that sailed well over the backboard and into the hoop perfectly.
Unfortunately, the shot went over the backboard from behind, disallowing the score and giving the ball back to Texas.
Immediately after the shot, the referee made the call and waived it off — with Pack and Miami coach Jim Larranaga protesting that it didn’t go fully over the back of the backboard. The official who made the call disagreed, and replay showed that the ball did appear to fully clear the backboard despite coming from the side of the hoop.