Miami Hurricanes defeated Indiana to storm into the Sweet 16 for the second consecutive year. Isaiah Wong and Jordan Miller led Miami’s decisive second-half spurt in the game, with Wong scoring 27 points and Miller scoring 19 points. Miami will now face top-seeded Houston in the Midwest Region semifinals in Kansas City, Missouri, on Friday.
Miami shared the ACC regular-season title with Virginia, while Miami was the only ACC team left in the tournament after Pittsburgh was eliminated by Xavier earlier Sunday. The win against Indiana marked Miami’s fifth consecutive NCAA Tournament win over a higher-seeded opponent.
All-American Trayce Jackson-Davis scored 23 points and grabbed eight rebounds for Indiana, while freshman Jalen Hood-Schifino added 19 points, and Race Thompson had 11. Indiana’s Head Coach, Mike Woodson, acknowledged Miami’s exceptional performance, stating that Miami was the better team.
Miami’s Wong expressed that winning basketball games is a way to get recognition, while Jackson-Davis expressed that it was really special to be in the moment after being booed in their home city, Indianapolis, two years ago in the Big Ten Tournament.
Miami Hurricanes, led by Isaiah Wong and Jordan Miller, stormed into the Sweet 16 for the second consecutive year with an 85-69 win over Indiana. Wong, the ACC Player of the Year, who had been limited to only five points in the first round against Drake, scored 27 points and grabbed eight rebounds, while Miller scored 19 points. Miami got off to a fast start and led most of the game, leaving Indiana’s hopes of winning its sixth national title shattered.
Miami will now face the top-seeded Houston in the Midwest Region semifinals in Kansas City, Missouri, on Friday. The win against Indiana marked Miami’s fifth consecutive NCAA Tournament win over a higher-seeded opponent.
After almost being upset in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, Miami Hurricanes Coach Jim Larrañaga said that his players were disappointed with the way they played on Friday and that they were ready to prove a point. The team was successful in doing just that, demonstrating that Miami basketball is hard to guard.
Miami’s victory over Indiana was attributed to their ability to compose themselves during late runs, as opposed to being desperate. The team’s success also came from holding a 42-26 rebounding advantage over Indiana. All-American Trayce Jackson-Davis scored 23 points and grabbed eight rebounds for Indiana, while freshman Jalen Hood-Schifino added 19 points, and Race Thompson had 11.
Indiana’s Head Coach, Mike Woodson, acknowledged Miami’s exceptional performance and gave all credit to them, stating that Miami was the better team. Miami didn’t lose the lead until Indiana went on a 13-0 run bridging the halves to push ahead 43-40. However, Miami quickly responded to tie the game at 49-all and then went on a 16-4 run.
Wong, who was happy with his performance, thanked his team for helping him out, getting him passes, and getting him into the rhythm. Wong added that the team was disappointed in the way they played on Friday and that they were ready to show that Miami basketball is hard to guard. Meanwhile, Miller downplayed the feeling of being underappreciated by some.
Miami’s Isaiah Wong expressed that winning basketball games is a way to get recognition, and that going to the Sweet 16 is a lot of recognition. Miami is the only ACC team left in the tournament, after sharing the ACC regular-season title with Virginia. Indiana, on the other hand, has been eliminated and might find it tough next year without Jackson-Davis, Thompson, and Miller Kopp.
Jackson-Davis expressed that it was really special to be in the moment after being booed in their home city, Indianapolis, two years ago in the Big Ten Tournament.
Miami will face top-seeded Houston in the Midwest Region semifinals in Kansas City, Missouri, on Friday. Miami’s win against Indiana marked their fifth consecutive NCAA Tournament win over a higher-seeded opponent. Winning against Houston would put Miami in its second straight Elite Eight, while coach Jim Larrañaga has been to the Final Four once, in his previous job at George Mason.
For more March Madness coverage, visit AP’s March Madness coverage and bracket page, as well as their AP Top 25 College Basketball Poll and Twitter page.
Don’t miss interesting posts on Famousbio
