When Haley Cavinder walking into the street on Monday night, twin sister hanna viewed from the Miami bench, full confidence in what will happen next.
miami 1st seed lead India 66-65 in the second round of the 2023 NCAA Women’s Tournament match at Noisy Hall. After Indiana missed a runner, the Hoosiers fouled Haley Cavinder with 12.7 seconds left. She set a one-season NCAA record for free throw percentage last season at Fresno State (97.3%) and entered Monday’s game ahead of Miami in free throw percentage (88.6%). .
However, Haley has never made a mistake when under more pressure. Miami is trying to reach the Round of 16 Sweet for the second time in the team’s history and the first since 1992.
Hanna told ESPN on Wednesday night: “When Haley started ordering, I was like, ‘It’s a signed deal. “Haley was made for that.”
Haley calmly took the free kick. Then she did something that her twin did not expect. Indiana’s students chanted, “TikTok,” a nod to the Cavinders’ huge TikTok followers, and Haley brought her finger to her lips. Whist.
“She’s not one to silence the crowd,” Hanna said. “I was like, ‘Okay, you tell them. Let them know.’ I’m proud of her and proud of our team.”
Miami goes on to win 70-68 after tough destiny‘S game win basket 3.5 seconds left. Haley Cavinder’s silence, coupled with Harden’s hit and F-bomb in her post-match interview, will be one of this year’s tournament’s memorable moments. Ninth seed Hurricanes, who won two tournament games by a total of three, face seed 4 Villanova on Friday (2:30 p.m. ET, ESPN) in Greenville, South Carolina.
A win would send Miami to its first Elite Eight and resume the season for the Cavinders, who are playing in their first NCAA tournament.
Haley Cavinder, who leads Miami in scoring (12.6 PPG) and second in rebound (4.9) and assists (2.5), said: It’s something we’ve been dreaming of for a long time. “I know it sounds corny, but every basketball player wants to play at the highest level, the highest stage.
“We’re used to watching these games all the time, so being able to actually play in a Sweet 16 game is something I definitely tick off my to-do list. … It’s so special. .”
Haley has been selected three times to All-Mountain West at Fresno State, winning the league’s player of the year in 2020-21 and the freshman of the year award in 2019-20. Hanna won the all-league title in her first two seasons and started three seasons with Haley. But Fresno State, which lost in the second round of WNIT 2021, never advanced to the NCAA during their time there.
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Last April, the Cavinders moved to Miami, a The move resonated more for its impact in name, image and likeness than in basketball. Hanna and Haley, who have 4.5 million TikTok followers and many lucrative NIL deals, have become the face of the NIL movement. Meanwhile, Miami makes no secret of its desire to be a haven for athletes looking to maximize their value.
The twins see Miami as a platform to grow their already thriving brands. They also see an opportunity to complete their basketball goals. Hanna called the transfer a “leap of discomfort,” but the results, reaching the NCAA and Sweet 16 tournaments, were worth it.
Hanna, who averages 3.9 points per game coming off the bench for the Hurricanes, said: “We used to go to the March Madness games with my mom. “To think that we’re in it now, at Sweet 16, is a full circle. This is why we’ve made so many sacrifices for the sport.”
The sisters listened to the same songs as they did in Indiana throughout the season. Hanna said fans mocked her about her GPA. There has also been positive feedback in the game. Student protest groups like Indiana often put up their social media activities, which the sisters find amusing.
“I know I reacted to them,” said Haley Cavinder, second-team All-ACC player; Usually I don’t do that. “Obviously, we’re very popular in the TikTok world and the influencer world, which I’m very happy with, so I don’t really care. I knew it was coming, and I said, ‘I am. will shut up’ you.'”
She laughed.
“I’m glad we won after I did that.”
Despite the cross-country transfer and attention, the Cavinders describe their integration with the Miami team as seamless. Haley enjoys playing alongside Harden — “the pride of our team,” she says — and other standouts, such as the sophomore defense. Jasmyne Roberts and senior striker Lola Pendande. Harden is second in score (12.1 PPG) and leads Miami in resilience (5.8).
The twins could opt for an extra year of eligibility because of the NCAA’s COVID-19 exemption and would consider returning to Miami for the 2023-24 season. They have opportunities other than college basketball, including WWE, signed with them a NIL . agreement in 2022.
But the Cavinders are trying to seize the historic moment and opportunity that awaits Friday as Miami tries to move one step closer to the Finals.
“That was crazy,” Hanna said. “It’s a huge thing, but I try not to make it any bigger. Our club coach always reminds us, ‘You’re still playing the game you’ve been playing your whole life. is the same round, the same ball.'”
While the Cavinders are still creating TikTok content throughout the tournament, they’re no longer expecting Friday’s on-court performances like Haley’s in Indiana.
“Nothing but celebration at the end,” Hanna said.
