Miami Hurricanes reflect on magical season, loss to UConn after Final Four semifinal exit
Their “magic carpet ride” through March had just ended, one win shy of a spot in Monday’s national championship game, and the Miami Hurricanes were understandably red-eyed and speaking through sniffles in the NRG Stadium locker room late Sunday night.
They were trying to explain how their team, which averaged 80 points all season, was held to a season-low in the 72-59 NCAA semifinal loss to Connecticut. Their 24 first-half points were a season-low, and 25 percent shooting was second-lowest of the season (only Drake did a better job stifling the Hurricanes).
It was also the first time all season that Miami did not lead at any point during the game and just the second loss by more than seven points in their 29-8 season.
“Credit to UConn, they played great, but it wasn’t our day, we just weren’t able to play our best,” said guard Nijel Pack, a towel draped over his head. “We didn’t have the offensive night we usually have, and they were able to make their shots. And when they didn’t, they got the offensive boards. We had to better on the boards and better offensively. We weren’t in rhythm from the start and had to play catch-up the whole night.”
Guard Bensley Joseph agreed that UConn winning the battle of the boards 41-32 was critical.
“Credit to UConn, they’re a great team with a lot of shooters, size, depth,” Joseph said. “I felt like they outrebounded us on the offensive glass and those really hurt. They were able to get kickout threes for those. It wasn’t our night. We weren’t making the shots we normally make, didn’t share the ball as well as we did all season.
“We kept trying to dig and fight as much as we could. Unfortunately, time ran out. But I’m proud of everyone in this locker room. We had an amazing season, an amazing run. Nobody can take it away from us.”
There were signs in the opening minutes that this might not be Miami’s night.
The fourth-seeded Huskies raced to a 9-0 lead in the first three minutes after making three of their first four three-point attempts, including a 2-of-2 mark from forward Adama Sanogo, who was just 1-of-9 from distance over the Huskies’ last 11 games and had not hit one since March 1 against DePaul
“They were hitting everything they shot, they were having a really good offensive night, they’re a great team, gotta give them props and credit,” UM forward Norchad Omier said. “We definitely had a chance. We cut the lead to single digits and they came back. We didn’t have our best offensive night tonight, they did.”
Omier, who averaged a double-double this season, scored eight points and had seven rebounds in 35 minutes against the Huskies
“I could have done a lot better, they really limited me in a lot of stuff,” Omier said. “They played good defense. They executed their game plan really good.”
Although it was a painful loss that will sting for some time, the Hurricanes were reminded by coach Jim Larranaga to keep it in perspective and be proud of all they had accomplished, getting to the Final Four for the first time in school history.
“This season was outstanding, to be able to do the things we did,” Pack said. “Transferring into this school and winning the ACC regular-season championship and making the Final Four for the first time in school history, that’s something I’ll be able to hold and the other guys can hold for the rest of their lives. It’s going to great to be remembered for this. It sucks it had to end like this, but I’ll love these guys for life.”
Senior Jordan Miller said: “It’s been special each year. We found a way to make school history both years, which is very rare. I think the core of this team is very young. If everyone decided to come back, they could be very special again.
“We just tried to build what every Miami basketball team should try to reach each season. I think we did a good job of laying down that foundation. Obviously, it didn’t end the way we wanted it to, but regardless, at the end of the day, if you make history, school history, you’re a winner in some shape or form.”
Isaiah Wong was proud to have helped “start something big” for the UM basketball program.
“For all the kids coming out of high school, they might come to Miami and think of a winning attitude and a team that is in March Madness every year,” he said.
Larranaga’s parting message to his players was simple: Sometimes you win. Sometimes you lose. But being in the Final Four is a memory they will have for a lifetime.
“They got the message that I was so proud of them, that I loved them, that I really enjoyed being on a magic carpet ride with these young men,” the coach said. “They’re so much fun to be around, on the court, off the court.”
Joseph took Larranaga’s message to heart.
“This is a learning moment, and we just have to move on and try to get back here again next year,” he said. “Some days it’s your day, and some days you accept defeat. Last week we were able to get that victory. Tonight, we accepted defeat, and it depends how you move on with it and if you build not only as a person on the court, but off the court.”
Every player made it a point to thank the thousands of fans who made the trek from South Florida and other parts of the country to support them. A large throng of those fans was waiting at the team hotel when the Hurricanes returned from the stadium just after midnight Sunday morning.
The players waved, took photos, and seemed genuinely touched.
Before he got on the elevator, Larranaga had a final message for the fans: “You’re all invited back next year to come and fill the Watsco Center.”
This story was originally published April 2, 2023 at 2:56 PM.