📍 Coral Gables, Florida
🏀 Home of Miami Hurricanes basketball

While it lies just outside the basketball hotbed that is SEC country, South Florida still stands on its own as a hoops-loving region. The central – or rather, the southernmost – outpost of that identity is here in Coral Gables, home to the University of Miami. The school, esteemed as “The U”, has often punched above its weight on the hardwood and, recently, even grasped at the pinnacle of college basketball.

The Miami Hurricanes basketball squad originally began play in 1926 and, after a 14-year hiatus, returned in their present form in 1985. Starting in 1988, the ‘Canes would share Miami Arena with the NBA’s Heat, moving back to campus when their very own venue – now known as the Watsco Center – opened in 2003.

The whitewashed gym, although it has an unremarkable exterior, has a sleek interior that’s brimming with the legends and lore that have forged Hurricanes athletics. From a wall celebrating Miami’s All-Americans to a wall that dives into “All About The U”, the venue has lots of history for fans to soak up. The biggest display is that of the Wall of Champions, a space dedicated to all of the programs at the school that have claimed a championship. Giant graphics also cling to the walls, highlighting basketball players that have hoisted NCAA trophies, those who’ve gone on to win NBA titles and, of course, members of the ‘Canes 2023 Final Four team.

Miami’s appearance in the Final Four came just one season after competing in their first ever Elite Eight. Previously, the ‘Canes had only advanced as far as the Sweet Sixteen, something they also had never accomplished before the 2000 season. When the program had picked back up in 1985, they joined the Big East, playing there until their big move to the ACC in 2004. The U has found much success in the conference, with some of their greatest exploits still fresh in fans’ minds and their brightest moments still ahead.