Miller’s historic performance lifts Miami to first Final Four
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The Miami Hurricanes advanced to their first Final Four in program history on Sunday, thanks largely to a spotless shooting effort from guard Jordan Miller.
The senior shot a remarkable 7-of-7 from the field while finishing a perfect 13-of-13 from the charity stripe for a game-high 27 points in the Hurricanes’ 88-81 win over No. 2 Texas.
Miller is only the second player in NCAA Tournament history to shoot 7-of-7 or better from the field and free throw line since 1963.
The last player to do it, Duke’s Christian Laettner, finished 10-of-10 from both the field and the free throw line against Kentucky in the 1992 Elite Eight.
Miller led the charge, but the rest of Miami’s starting lineup pulled its weight in Sunday’s massive victory. The Hurricanes’ remaining four starters all finished in double figures, including Wooga Poplar (16), Nijel Pack (15), Isaiah Wong (14) and Norchad Omier (11).
Trailing by eight at halftime, Miami was down by as many as 13 in the second half. However, the Longhorns let Miami hang around. Chipping into the lead slowly, the Hurricanes ultimately fought back to tie the game, 72-27, off an Omier layup with 5:26 left.
Fittingly, two Miller free-throws finally gave Miami the lead with 3:57 to go. The shell-shocked Longhorns never fully recovered. With 17 seconds remaining, Miller put them away for good with, you guessed it, a pair of free throws.
After Miami’s biggest win in program history, Miller spoke about the team’s epic second-half comeback.
« No one wanted to go home. We came together. We stuck together, » Miller said via CBS Sports. « We showed really good perseverance and the will to just want to get there. »
Miami will now play for a spot in the national title game, facing off against No. 4 UConn Saturday following No. 9 Florida Atlantic vs. No. 5 San Diego State, which begins at 6:09 p.m. EST.
