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Jim Larranaga credits Miami for 'total team effort'

Stephen Samraby:Steve Samra•03/18/23•

SamraSource

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(Harris/Getty Images)

Jim Larranaga recognized it took a “total team effort” for Miami to defeat Drake in the Round of 64 on Friday.

It was an impressive victory by a score of 63-56 for the Hurricanes, one where they held Bulldogs’ star Tucker DeVries to three points on the day. Speaking with the media afterwards, Larranaga stated there’s plenty of credit to go around for the win.

“Well, if you’re asking that, I knew as soon as the final horn sounded,” Larranaga answered, asked when he knew Miami was going to win the game. “There’s never a time that, as a coach, I ever think the game is over. There’s just too many strange things that can happen.

“We didn’t have any timeouts left. They came up and pressed. If they had made a shot and were pressing, we turned it over, I can’t call a timeout or I can’t sub or anything like that. But here’s what I would say about our team. We’ve been in so many close games throughout the season, and this is just another one of those nights. Jordan didn’t have a particularly good night. Isaiah didn’t. But Wooga and Nijel had terrific nights. Bensley Joseph came in and did a great job defensively. So it takes a total team effort to win a game like that.”

Now, the Hurricanes will move on from Drake to a date with Indiana that awaits them on Sunday, and it won’t be an easy game for them.

The Hoosiers are coming off a 71-60 victory over Kent State, absolutely taking care of business in their Round of 64 showdown. Both Miami and Indiana believe they have what it takes to make a run, but only one is going to move forward.

Nevertheless, Larranaga’s squad has what it takes to make a nice run into the Sweet 16 at the least, possessing the veteran leadership, great coaching and defensive ability that many believe it takes to win some games at the NCAA Tournament. Still, the Hoosiers are no easy nut to crack, and Mike Woodson’s squad will be ready, willing and able to play.

Still, Jim Larranaga and the Hurricanes have respect Drake, but they’re moving their focus onto Indiana now. Miami will attempt to keep their run going at 8:40 p.m. EST on Sunday night.