Speedo takeover? How Miami Ohio swim group has helped March Madness run

PHILADELPHIA — The Speedos have invaded March Madness.

The Miami (Ohio) men’s swim team has been probably the most uncommon sights of their bid to help the lads’s basketball group’s NCAA Tournament run, as demonstrated within the RedHawks’ First Four recreation vs. SMU in Dayton, Ohio.

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As SMU’s Corey Washington lined up for a free throw, the swimming group ambled down the steps of UD Arena and, dressed as in the event that they have been about to compete, arguably triggered the Mustangs to overlook a game-tying free throw:

It stays to be seen whether or not the Speedos will make a return go to for the RedHawks’ first-round recreation towards 6-seeded Tennessee on Friday, March 20 at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia. If they do, will probably be the second consecutive March Madness recreation that the lads’s swim group has attended.

RedHawks coach Travis Steele stated an look was nonetheless up within the air when the Mid-American Conference common season champions met with media at Xfinity Mobile Arena on March 19.

But the swim’s group has been a presence at RedHawks basketball residence video games at Millett Hall all season.

“Number one, in the game, you’re really locked in. Then all of a sudden, you see a group of young men in Speedos coming down the stairwell right there in the end zone, and the place just absolutely erupted when it happened,” Steele stated.

“I know if I was distracted, I know the young man at the line was distracted. Obviously, it worked. He missed a free throw, but it’s been just super cool across the board, the support we’ve gotten, like from where we were in my year one, we were getting 200, 300 people at a game. This past season, we’re at 10,640 selling out. All of sudden, tickets are going for $200 or $300 on StubHub or SeatGeek to see the crowd we had last night. I’m happy that our guys were able to get that experience as well.”

Both of Miami (Ohio)’s Brant Byer and Eian Elmer instructed reporters in Philadelphia on March 19 they do not particularly know members of the swim group, however, like Steele, they recognize the help this season.

“They got a missed free throw out of SMU yesterday, so we’ll definitely take it,” Byer stated. “The support they have given us all season has been pretty special.”

Added Elmer: “They’re a great group of guys. That’s pretty awesome how they support us all the time. Also, they’re very effective. We’ll make sure we return the favor and show up to some swim meets.”

The RedHawks are making their 18th look within the NCAA Tournament on Friday, and their first because the 2006-07 season. They are the primary group in MAC historical past to earn an at-large bid since 1999. They are 32-1 after an ideal 31-0 common season.

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