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Jim Larranaga explains how to reset mindset for ACC Tournament

On3-Social-Profile_GRAYby:On3 Staff Report•03/07/23
Jim Larranaga, Miami Hurricanes basketball coach
Miami basketball coach Jim Larranaga applauds during one of his team's games on Feb. 21, 2023. (Ryan Hunt / Getty Images)

After winning a share of the ACC title with a home win over Pittsburgh to end the regular-season, the Miami Hurricanes will be looking to do it all over again in the ACC Tournament.

Coach Jim Larranaga has a pretty simple outlook on approaching the conference tournament.

“We’re very excited where we are, but as everybody knows and I’ve told the players, the ACC Tournament now is a sprint,” Larranaga said. “Everybody’s got the same record. We’re all 0-0. The message is win and advance, lose and go home. We’ve got to be at our best every single day.”

The ‘Canes had the opportunity to cut down the nets on their home floor over the weekend. They’d like to do the same at the end of the ACC Tournament.

To get there, though, there will need to be a complete reset of focus. That’s not always easy.

And Larranaga wants his guys to savor the championship, as well.

“Winning the game and then cutting down the nets and having everybody out on the court, I told my players that’s a memory that will last a lifetime,” he said. “You don’t get to experience that every year. It’s very seldom. You might win a championship, but maybe it’s on the road. It took us 10 years to do that again. I hope it doesn’t take us another 10.”

Larranaga praises fans for title run support

While the Miami basketball team will be preparing for the ACC Tournament and trying to win another championship this week, Larranaga wanted to make sure he thanked the fans for their faithful support.

Led by the fan group Category 5, the Hurricanes enjoyed hearty support throughout the season.

“The last home game of the season against Pittsburgh with everything at stake, trying to win a regular-season championship and having that kind of support from our fans, the local people in Coral Gables and Miami, but especially our student body,” Larranaga said. “Category 5 did a great job all season long of having the students come and cheer for us from start to finish. I know my players and coaches love that, and I know I do too.”

Miami will play its first ACC Tournament game on Thursday at noon, with the winner of Syracuse and Wake Forest advancing to face Miami.