Orlando next stop for FSU, UF as March Madness runs wild
Orlando NCAA games feature three state teams
The Villanova Wildcats entered the NCAA Tournament as the No. 1 overall seed on Sunday, and the team will, no doubt, attract a lot of attention about whether or not it can repeat as national champions. But before that can happen, two Florida teams are coming to Orlando on Thursday. FSU coach Leonard Hamilton, left, brings his No. 3 seed Seminoles to town to face the No. 14 Florida Gulf Coast Eagles in a West region game. It’s the Seminoles’ first invitation to the NCAA Tournament in five years. Meanwhile, in the East region, Florida coach Mike White, right, is coaching in his very first NCAA Tournament, as the No. 4 seed Gators face the No. 13 seed East Tennessee State Buccaneers here. Both games are at the Amway Center, and UF plays in the afternoon while FSU is an evening game.
Florida, Florida State and Florida Gulf Coast will all benefit from a friendly crowd early in the NCAA Tournament, with the schools playing their opening games in Orlando at Amway Center.
First-round games tip off Thursday, with second-round games set to be played on Saturday.
Florida (24-8, 14-4 SEC) is making its first appearance in the NCAA Tournament since 2013-14 when the Billy Donovan-led Gators made it all the way to the national semifinals. It is UF’s first bid under SEC Coach of the Year Mike White.
The Gators will take on No. 13-seed East Tennessee State (27-7, 14-4 Southern) in the East Regional. The Buccaneers are making their 10th appearance in the NCAA Tournament but the first since 2009-10.
It is the fifth meeting between the two programs and the first since 1980-81.
The winner will take on the winner of No. 5 Virginia (22-10, 11-7 ACC) versus No. 12 seed UNC-Wilmington (29-5, 15-3 CAA), which tips off at 12:40 p.m. on truTV.
Florida versus East Tennessee State will tip off at the conclusion of the early Virginia game and will be broadcast on truTV.
It is the first meeting between the two programs.
The Cavaliers are making their fourth consecutive appearance in the tournament for the first time since 1981-84 and their 21st overall tournament berth.
“We weren’t sitting there wondering if we were going to get in,” Virginia coach Tony Bennett said following the release of the bracket field. “We knew we were going to get in; it was just a matter of where you were going to play and who you were going to play.
“… As far as the last few years where we’ve been, this is a different team — a new team — and I’m very thankful and very excited. You have to love the challenge. It seems like every year, the parity in NCAA basketball is even more prevalent.”
Bennett said the Cavaliers’ loss to Notre Dame in the ACC Tournament quarterfinals provided his team with some muchneeded extra rest heading into their first-round matchup.
“Obviously getting ready going down to Orlando for a Thursday game — at this point of the year — everybody’s played a lot of games, both teams and all the teams . ... It’s preparing the best for these three days and being ready to go knowing you’ll have to play,” Bennett said.
The Seahawks are making their second consecutive appearance in the tournament after clinching the CAA championship Monday night. They were eliminated in the first round last season — their first appearance since 2005-06.
Third-seeded Florida State (25-8, 12-6 ACC) is making its first appearance in the NCAA Tournament since 2011-12. FSU finished the regular season second in the ACC before being eliminated in the conference tournament semifinals by Notre Dame.
The Seminoles will take on No. 14-seed Florida Gulf Coast (26-7, 12-2 A-SUN).
The Eagles are making their second consecutive appearance in the NCAA Tournament.
The winner will take on the winner of No. 6 Maryland and No. 11 Xavier, which tips off at 6:50 p.m. on TNT. FSU-FGCU will air following the conclusion of the Maryland game on TNT.
Maryland (24-8, 12-6 Big Ten) finished the season second in the Big Ten. The Terrapins are making their third consecutive appearance in the NCAA Tournament and 27th overall.
Xavier (21-13, 9-9 Big East) finished seventh in the Big East but made a strong run in the conference tournament, losing to Creighton in the semifinals.
The Musketeers earned their 11th NCAA tournament berth in the last 12 years.
"I’m excited for them,” Xavier coach Chris Mack said of his players Sunday night. “It never gets old, no matter how many NCAA tournaments that you’ve been a part of.
“But knowing that those guys have never been to an open practice, have never gotten a police escort, have never been part of March Madness and seeing them experience the selection show for the very first time — it’s what they came to Xavier for and it’s a thrill as the coach to watch how excited they get.”
Mack said the thrill of making the NCAA Tournament remains special for him.
“I’m like a kid in a candy store,” he added.
Senior guard Malcolm Bernard, a transfer from Florida A&M, echoed his coach’s sentiments.
“I’m super excited,” he said. “I just can’t wait for the opportunity. I’m looking forward to experiencing my first NCAA tournament berth.”