It took more than 40 years, but the University of Miami has matched its best ranking ever.
The Hurricanes, unranked less than a month ago, moved up to No. 8 in the Associated Press poll released Monday and equaled the program’s highest ranking, which was set March 1, 1960. It also marked the first time UM (17-3, 8-0 ACC) has been in the top 10 in 14 years.
“For me to be able to play with these guys and have a part on a top 10 program in the country is crazy, man,” said UM senior center Reggie Johnson, whose tip-in with 0.8 seconds left Saturday beat North Carolina State 79-78. “I would never have thought that, especially being at Miami. Top 25 was cool, but top 10 is a different world.”
Miami has won nine consecutive games and has a two-game lead atop the ACC standings. The Hurricanes are the only ACC team other than Duke or North Carolina to begin the conference season 8-0 since Virginia in 1981.
UM and No. 2 Florida (18-2, 8-0 SEC) are the only schools from major conferences that are still undefeated in league play.
After beating Virginia Tech and North Carolina State on the road last week, UM returns to the BankUnited Center for a two-game homestand that begins Tuesday night against Boston College (10-11, 2-6) and is followed Saturday by a visit from North Carolina (15-6, 5-3).
No tickets remain for Saturday’s game against the Tar Heels. Miami also sold out its home games Jan. 23 against Duke and Jan. 27 against Florida State. UM officials expect a crowd of about 6,000 Tuesday night at the 7,972-seat BankUnited Center.
“Tuesday night will really show what kind of fan base we’re gaining now,” said sophomore guard Shane Larkin, named the ACC Player of the Week on Monday for his performances against Virginia Tech and N.C. State. “Boston College isn’t one of the premier teams in the ACC. So I’m looking forward to see how the crowd comes out. We’re 8-0 and playing well, so hopefully we get a lot of people in here.”
Following Saturday’s nationally televised victory over N.C. State, the Hurricanes were welcomed back to campus by scores of students.
Said Johnson of the team’s growing support: “We waited a long time for it, but we really appreciate it.”
It’s not only locally that UM is getting new-found backing. Bracket predictions by ESPN.com and CBSSports.com project the Hurricanes as a No. 2 seed in the NCAA tournament, which UM hasn’t played in since the 2007-08 season.
Meanwhile, the latest official RPI rankings on the NCAA’s website list Miami at No. 2 behind Duke.
“We can make this a real special season,” Johnson said.
The Hurricanes also moved up to No. 11 from No. 15 in the USA Today coaches poll. That’s the highest UM has been ranked by the coaches since 2002.
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