NCAA Tournament Run Has Miami Hurricanes Gaining More Local Attention Than Heat

The Miami Hurricanes men’s basketball team are going to their first Final Four in school history.

The Miami Heat already had competition as the most prominent team in South Florida after the Dolphins’ acquiring star talent the past two seasons. Now, they may be playing second fiddle to their college equivalents.

The Miami Hurricanes men’s basketball team is playing in their first Final Four against UConn, the new favorite to win the NCAA Tournament. The women’s basketball team was eliminated on Sunday by Louisiana State University. Both were catching the eyes of Miami sports fans.

“I’m saying it now, I’d sacrifice the rest of this Heat season for a Canes national championship,” one user said.

I’m saying it now, I’d sacrifice the rest of this Heat season for a Canes national championship

— MiamiClutchPE (@MiamiClutchPE) March 26, 2023

The Heat’s inconsistency has frustrated many fans this season. After nearly making the NBA Finals last season, the team has regressed to fighting for a playoff spot out of the play-in bracket. They are back to being the No. 7 seed after a blowout loss against the Brooklyn Nets Saturday night. It has been an underwhelming season for Miami basketball fans, turning them to watch the Hurricanes excel instead.

Even Florida Atlantic University (FAU) is giving the Heat a run for their money. They will also participate in the Final Four after defeating the Kansas State Wildcats. A potential FAU-Miami NCAA Final will likely direct South Florida fans away from the Heat.

They still have a chance to prove viewers wrong though. Jimmy Butler plays his best basketball in the postseason, which will always make Miami a team to look out for. They play the Toronto Raptors (37-38) Tuesday night.

Jayden Armant is a contributor to Inside the Heat. He is a student at Howard University. He can be reached at jayden.armant@bison.howard.edu or follow him on Twitter @jaydenarmant.