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Publication: The Daily Utah Chronicle, , University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
This year has been one of the most memorable years if you’re a South Florida sports fan. There have been multiple unexpected postseason runs, including Lionel Messi joining MLS’s Inter Miami CF.
The story began back in January. The NFL’s Miami Dolphins beat the New York Jets 11-6 in the final game of the season to secure a playoff spot, their first in six years. Despite starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and backup Teddy Bridgewater both unavailable due to injuries, the Dolphins nearly pulled off a massive upset in the playoffs against the Buffalo Bills. Miami rallied around third-string rookie Skylar Thompson and gave Buffalo everything they had, but fell just short 31-34.
In March, the South Florida region saw two of their schools make runs to the Men’s March Madness Final Four: the Miami Hurricanes in Coral Gables and the Florida Atlantic Owls in Boca Raton. Neither of these teams were expected to make it as far as they did. Miami was a No. 5 seed in the tournament and FAU was a No. 9 seed.
Miami started off their tournament run with a 63-56 win over Drake and an 85-69 win over Indiana. They then upset two top-seeded Texas teams. The Hurricanes took out No. 1 seed Houston in the Sweet 16, winning 89-75. Against No. 2 seed Texas, Miami rallied from an 8-point halftime deficit to defeat the Longhorns 88-81 and advance to the Final Four.
Florida Atlantic was close to elimination in the first round. Down one point to Memphis, the Owls won a jump ball with five seconds left. Nick Boyd got the inbound pass in the corner, drove to the hoop and laid it in with 2.5 seconds left. Memphis could not get a shot off on the ensuing play and FAU barely advanced, 66-65. The rest of their run through the East region was all single-digit wins as well. FAU beat Fairleigh Dickinson 78-70 in the second round, Tennessee 62-55...