Florida Atlantic Owls fans show their support during the first half of the Men’s Basketball Championship National Semifinal against the San Diego State Aztecs at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas on Saturday, April 1, 2023.
Al Diaz
adiaz@miamiherald.com
The Florida Atlantic University Owls were defeated by a slim margin in the South Florida school’s biggest played game. Fans were ready to see a strong fight and kept the excitement going till the end.
The ninth-seeded Owls faced the No. 5 seed San Diego State Aztecs for a spot in the national championship. The Aztecs took home a slim one-point victory, 72 to 71.
To the uninitiated, it seemed like this was the Cinderella story of the year. But the Owls don’t consider themselves a Cinderella — and in a lot ways they’re right. They are underdogs for sure, but they might just be the best out-of-nowhere semifinalist ever.
The excitement was high as fans imagined a possible All-South Florida championship game on Monday night. While FAU was defeated, the University of Miami Hurricanes still has a chance to defeat the UConn Huskies in their Final Four match-up.
Here is what the scene looked like in Houston before the game Saturday:
Basketball fans enter the NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas before the start of the Men’s Basketball Championship National Semifinal between Florida Atlantic Owls against the San Diego State Aztecs on Saturday, April 1, 2023. Al DIaz adiaz@miamiherald.com
Basketball fans show their support before the start of the Men’s Basketball Championship National Semifinal between Florida Atlantic Owls against the San Diego State Aztecs at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas on Saturday, April 1, 2023. Al Diaz adiaz@miamiherald.com
Miami Heat legend Dwyane Wade smiles during the first half of the Men’s Basketball Championship National Semifinal between the Florida Atlantic Owls against the San Diego State Aztecs at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas on Saturday, April 1, 2023. Al Diaz adiaz@miamiherald.com
University of Miami fans Travis Small, Kevin Clark, Freddie Vasquez, George Leguizamo, pose for the picture with Florida Atlantic Owls mascot Owlsley before the start of the Men’s Basketball Championship National Semifinal between Florida Atlantic Owls against the San Diego State Aztecs at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas on Saturday, April 1, 2023. Al Diaz adiaz@miamiherald.com
And take a look at some action shots:
San Diego State Aztecs guard Matt Bradley (20) defends Florida Atlantic Owls guard Nicholas Boyd (2) during the first half of the Men’s Basketball Championship National Semifinal at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas on Saturday, April 1, 2023. Al Diaz adiaz@miamiherald.com
San Diego State Aztecs guard Matt Bradley (20) defends Florida Atlantic Owls guard Nicholas Boyd (2) during the first half of the Men’s Basketball Championship National Semifinal at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas on Saturday, April 1, 2023. Al Diaz adiaz@miamiherald.com
San Diego State Aztecs guard Matt Bradley (20) defends Florida Atlantic Owls guard Nicholas Boyd (2) during the first half of the Men’s Basketball Championship National Semifinal at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas on Saturday, April 1, 2023. Al Diaz adiaz@miamiherald.com
Florida Atlantic Owls guard Alijah Martin (15) drives against San Diego State Aztecs guard Lamont Butler (5) during the second half of the Men’s Basketball Championship National Semifinal at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas on Saturday, April 1, 2023. Al Diaz adiaz@miamiherald.com
Florida Atlantic Owls guard Johnell Davis (1) goes to the basket San Diego State Aztecs forward Nathan Mensah (31) during the second half of the Men’s Basketball Championship National Semifinal at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas on Saturday, April 1, 2023. Al Diaz adiaz@miamiherald.com
This story was originally published April 1, 2023 at 6:43 PM.
