Florida Atlantic secured a historic victory over Kansas State on Saturday, with the Owls incomes this system’s first journey to the Ultimate 4 within the course of. And the workforce’s radio announcer almost missed it.
Ken LaVicka, who was calling the sport on the FAU Radio Community, relayed afterward how he narrowly averted catastrophe within the waning moments to salvage the ultimate name. The Owls stymied Markquis Nowell and Co. with a staunch defensive play to safe the 79-76 victory.
As Lavicka put it, his radio gear misplaced energy as a result of a difficulty with an ethernet cable at his work station in Madison Sq. Backyard. Because of a well timed timeout by Kansas State coach Jerome Tang with 18.6 seconds remaining — together with some fast maneuvering and assist by a colleague — LaVicka was in a position to name the ultimate 15 seconds of the sport.
THE SLIPPER STILL FITS 🦉@FAUMBB IS HEADED TO THE FINAL FOUR 🔥#MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/UdXbmj9NwG
— NCAA March Insanity (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 26, 2023
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This is his telling of the story, per NCAA school basketball correspondent Andy Katz:
Ken LaVicka of the FAU Radio community had fairly a busy closing minute of his broadcast. You’ll be able to’t make this up. He almost missed his profession name for @FAUMBB to go to @MarchMadnessMBB @MFinalFour: pic.twitter.com/H3gRXsFZYG
— Andy Katz (@TheAndyKatz) March 26, 2023
LaVicka delivered this closing name as FAU superior to the Ultimate 4:
“Houston, you’ve got obtained an issue. Florida Atlantic’s coming to win a championship.”
“Or one thing alongside these strains,” LaVicka instructed Katz.
MORE: Owls punch ticket to Ultimate 4 with upset win over Wildcats
FAU coach Dusty Might reportedly gave LaVicka the longest interview of any of his postgame conferences with media.
Dusty Might with the FAU radio. FAU radio = one man. Ken LaVicka. Labored his ass off on this sport and misplaced connection within the closing minutes, solely to get again on-line within the closing 30 seconds. Dusty giving him the longest interview of the night time, and rightfully so. pic.twitter.com/age2OrhQN2
— Matt Norlander (@MattNorlander) March 26, 2023
That is definitely deserved following LaVicka’s personal late-game heroics to safe the decision of a lifetime.
