Mike Bianchi: After a lost fall in football, Sunshine State fans find joy in March

This year, the Sunshine State has four teams dancing — Florida, Miami, UCF and USF — with a fifth, Florida State, surging so hard down the stretch it felt like the Seminoles belonged in the bracket, too. Not that basketball in our state hasn’t had some great moments in ...

ORLANDO, Fla. — There have been years when March arrives in Florida and barely makes a ripple. Thankfully, not this year.

This year, the Sunshine State has four teams dancing — Florida, Miami, UCF and USF — with a fifth, Florida State, surging so hard down the stretch it felt like the Seminoles belonged in the bracket, too. Not that basketball in our state hasn’t had some great moments in recent memory. The Gators, after all, won the national title last year and Miami and FAU were BOTH in the Final Four just three seasons ago.

But this year, our hoops success just seems more significant, satisfying and special. It feels more joyful. Because if the last few months have taught us anything, it’s this: Nothing is guaranteed in college sports anymore; especially not in Florida.