CORAL GABLES, FLA. (WSVN) – The University of Miami is abuzz with excitement as the men’s and women’s basketball teams prepare to hit the road for the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA March Madness tournament. Both teams have their sights set on the Elite Eight, and with a final practice underway before the game, the anticipation is palpable.
Miami is just one of four schools in the nation to make the Sweet 16 in men’s and women’s basketball this year, along with Tennessee, UCLA and Yukon. The women’s team, in particular, has reason to celebrate, as they haven’t made the Sweet 16 since 1992. On Friday, they will take on the No. 4 seed Villanova Wildcats in Greenville, South Carolina.
Meanwhile, the men’s team will take on No. 1 seed Houston in a bid to replicate their Elite Eight success from last year. Despite being underdogs in their respective matchups, the players are eager to prove themselves and take their teams one step closer to the ultimate goal of a national championship.
“We put in a lot of hours to get here, but you know, the job isn’t done,” said Jordan Miller of the men’s team. “I don’t think anybody goes into the tournament with dreams of just making it to the Sweet 16. Obviously we want to win a national championship, but we have to play one game at a time and all the guys are excited. Until we play there’s another seed, you know, it looks like we can try a few more things.”
With both games on Friday, UM fans are sure to be glued to their screens, cheering on the Miami Hurricanes as they take on some of the best in the nation. And who knows? With a little luck and a lot of hard work, the men’s and women’s teams could make history and bring home a national championship for the school.
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