Isaiah Wong says being part of successful Miami run is 'an honor'

Making an NCAA Tournament run means a lot to a basketball program and the university it represents. Some go their entire history just wanting to make an appearance in March Madness and have a chance to make some noise in the big dance. Now, as part of one of those successful stretches as a member of the Miami Hurricanes, junior guard Isaiah Wong says he has nothing but pride in what his team has accomplished during his time in Coral Gables.

Wong spoke on his emotions following the ‘Canes 85-69 victory over Indiana to advance to the Sweet Sixteen. He says he feels honored to add to the program’s history with what he has helped to do on the court, specifically in the last two years come the postseason.

“It’s just an honor being part of this program with the history we have. We have a great team this year and did last year too. And I feel like it’s great to see how we came up,” Wong said. “My first year? We wasn’t as good. But, for the last two years? We’re going to the Sweet Sixteen. And last year? The Elite Eight. Just…I’m appreciative. And I just love this team.”

Miami has only advanced to the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament five times in the program’s 61-year history. Two of those five have come over the last two seasons.

The Hurricanes made it to the Elite Eight last season. They did so with wins over USC, Auburn, and Iowa State before Kansas, the eventual champion, knocked them out. Now, in 2023, they’re headed to Kansas City to face No. 1 Houston for an Elite Eight spot. That comes after they defeated the Hoosiers as well as Drake in Albany.

When you combined both runs, Wong has been the key piece to both. In the four games in 2022, he averaged 16.5 points on 43.3% shooting in 33 minutes a game to get them to Chicago. Now, a year later, he has put up 16 again, albeit with a much better second game, and seven rebounds in over 35 minutes.

Wong and Miami have come a long way since going 25-33 over his first two seasons. With a lot on the line for him and the program inside T-Mobile Center on Friday evening, he’ll look to help keep their season alive and get the Hurricanes to a new level of history they have yet to achieve by earning them a spot in their first-ever Final Four.