Jim Larranaga sends social media into a frenzy as the 73-year-old Miami coach is caught on camera showing off his incredible dance moves after March Madness upset victory over Houston
Miami Hurricanes head coach Jim Larranaga celebrated his team’s historic victory against Houston by showing off his very bold dance moves in the locker room.
The No.5 seed Hurricanes defeated the No.1 seed Houston Cougars 89-75 in a memorable NCAA Tournament moment, and Larrañaga defied his 73 years by dancing to the delight of his players shortly after the game.
Houston’s loss marks the first time in tournament history that no No. 1 seeded team has reached the Elite Eight round of the tournament.
The Hurricanes will play Texas in the Elite Eight, after they beat Xavier shortly after Miami’s victory. This is the first time in three years that Houston has not made the Elite Eight.
On Twitter, fans went wild over their locker room celebration, with one noting: ‘Coach L is the best. The love, respect and mutual admiration between the coach and the youngsters on the team is so beautiful and contagious.’
Miami head coach Jim Larranaga did some ‘dance moves’ to celebrate Houston’s loss
The No.5 seed Miami Hurricanes defeated the No.1 seed Houston Cougars 89-75 in March Madness
This is the first time in three years that the Houston Cougars have not made the Elite Eight.
Another, meanwhile, wrote: ‘I want to see him dance 3 more times!’, and a fan added: ‘That cat can move!’
However, there was perhaps a bigger reaction to Larrañaga’s coaching performance, which received high praise after the game.
Nicole Auerbach of The Athletic tweeted: “Jim Larranaga is so good and somehow so underrated.”
‘Yes, @CanesCoachL is heading to ELITE 8 for 2 years in a row. They dominated the #1 seed and a quality team at @UHCougarMBK 89-75,’ legendary college basketball commentator and analyst Dick Vitale tweeted.
‘Down goes Houston. Consecutive Elite Eight for @CanesHoops and @CanesCoachL! Down go No. 1s!’ said renowned college basketball analyst Andy Katz.
ESPN’s ‘ACC PM’ host Mark Parker also chimed in to say: ‘Another incredible run and a return visit to the Elite 8 for the Miami Hurricanes and Jim Larranaga. First time in NCAA Tournament history not a single #1 seed has made it to the Elite 8.’
‘I would say the Miami Hurricanes had a very good day at the office. The women’s basketball team, a 9th seed, advances to their first Elite 8, and the men follow suit by defeating a 1 seed in Houston.’
Miami, which finished the season with a 28-7 record, became the fifth team this season to score at least 70 points against Houston, which finished the year with a 33-4 record.
The No. 5 Hurricanes reached a regional final for the second straight year just hours after the No. 9-seeded Miami women’s team held on to beat Villanova and advance to the Elite Eight for the first time. Miami and UConn are the only schools with teams remaining in both tournaments.
Larrañaga’s coaching performance received rave reviews after the historic upset victory.
Miami will play Texas after beating Xavier in the Sweet 16 round of the tournament