More N.C.A.A. Notes

Here is a surprise, kudos to Jim Nantz and whomever/whoever garnered the Jim Larranaga note put forth, as Miami under Larranaga, duplicated George Mason, also coached by him.

They did so by gaining national  semis entry, exactly 17 years apart on Sunday March 26th.

If I had known ….. and better spirits, regarding this upsets filled tournament.

I did know, cite here, yet completely “dogged” Miami/Texas.

The fact that Miami vaulted to the college pig title forty (a 5/10 number)years ago passing, among others, Texas on 1/2/84 as noted here last week.

The ‘Canes also defeated a Houston team, albeit one nowhere near as highly regarded as the hoops team it “regional semi’d” last Friday, in the regular season, in that memorable title run in ’83.

Finally, regarding Miami/Texas, the former ripped the latter in the ’90 season Cotton Bowl telecast on CBS, with you guessed it  Nantz, as the lead announcer.

Jim Larranaga, pictured above, also guided an even more unlikely team, George Mason to the national semi-finals.

Then in ’06 after “regional final-ing” Connecticut, eventual first of two straight national titles team, Florida beat them in the semis. I did not watch it, perhaps as I recall being in one of the late, great Joe Franklin’s named establishments.

Their 2023 semi opponent is Connecticut a team, now a 3 to 2 “fave” to win the crown.