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How Miami (Ohio) swim team — and their Speedos — helped March Madness run
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- How Miami (Ohio) swim team — and their Speedos — helped March Madness run
PHILADELPHIA — The Speedos have invaded March Madness.
The Miami (Ohio) men's swim team has been one of the most unusual sights in their bid to support the men's basketball team's NCAA Tournament run, as demonstrated in the RedHawks' First Four game vs. SMU in Dayton, Ohio.
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As SMU's Corey Washington lined up for a free throw, the swimming team ambled down the stairs of UD Arena and, dressed as if they were about to compete, arguably caused the Mustangs to miss a game-tying free throw:
It remains to be seen whether the Speedos will make a return visit for the RedHawks' first-round game against 6-seeded Tennessee on Friday, March 20 at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia. If they do, it will be the second consecutive March Madness game that the men's swim team has attended.
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RedHawks coach Travis Steele said an appearance was still up in the air when the Mid-American Conference regular season champions met with media at Xfinity Mobile Arena on March 19.
But the swim's team has been a presence at RedHawks basketball home 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 said.
"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."
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Both of Miami (Ohio)'s Brant Byer and Eian Elmer told reporters in Philadelphia on March 19 they don't specifically know members of the swim team, but, like Steele, they appreciate the support this season.
"They got a missed free throw out of SMU yesterday, so we'll definitely take it," Byer said. "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 appearance in the NCAA Tournament on Friday, and their first since the 2006-07 season. They are the first team in MAC history to earn an at-large bid since 1999. They are 32-1 after a perfect 31-0 regular season.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Speedo takeover? How Miami Ohio swim team has helped March Madness run
