Miami Basketball opens with South Florida in NCAA Women’s Tournament

After an improbable run to the ACC Tournament Championship Game, the Miami basketball team will open play as the eighth seed in the NCAA Women’s Tournament against South Florida in Columbia, South Carolina. If Miami advances to the second round they would likely play the Greensboro top seed, South Carolina.

Miami enters the NCAA Tournament with wins in 10 of its last 12 games to earn their postseason berth. The return of Destiny Harden helped Miami in the ACC Tournament. Harden missed the first 10 games of the season. Against Louisville Harden scored the final 15 points of the game as Miami closed on a 17-0 run.

The Hurricanes are making their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2018. Miami last won an NCAA Tournament game in 2017. Kelsey Marshall is the only double-figure scoring for Miami averaging 13.7 points per game. Harden nearly single-handedly carried Miami in the ACC Quarterfinal win over Louisville.

The Cardinals were blitzed for 27 points by Harden who is from Morgan Park High School in Chicago. Miami men’s point guard Charlie Moore also played at Morgan Park. Harden is second on Miami averaging 8.09 PPG and contributing 4.32 rebounds. The return of Harden was critical for Miami after she missed the first 10 games.

Miami and South Florida on Friday with the time and television network to be announced. ESPN and their networks televise the women’s NCAA Tournament. South Florida enters the NCAA Tournament with a 24-8 record. The Bulls went 12-3 and finished second in the American Athletic Conference.

South Florida had a seven-game winning streak broken in the ACC Tournament Championship game by archrival Central Florida. Elena Tsineke leads South Florida averaging 14.1 points per game. Bethy Mununga averages 10.7 PPG and 11.6 rebounds. Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu averages 10.5 PPG and 7.1 RPG.

The Miami basketball team enters the NCAA Tournament with four wins this season against top 25 teams. The Hurricanes defeated number16 and 18 Georgia Tech twice fourth-ranked Louisville in the ACC Tournament quarterfinals and number 20 Notre Dame in the conference semifinals. Miami is battle-tested for the NCAA.