The Boca Raton college has taken the faculty basketball world by storm, bypassing all Cinderella exits on its option to the end line, simply two victories shy of an NCAA championship. No longer little-known, however nonetheless the underdog, FAU faces five-seed San Diego State University on Saturday at 6:09 p.m. with a visit to the title recreation at stake.
While FAU’s run to the Final Four is the nationwide story on the court docket, anybody that’s been following the Owls via the final decade-plus is aware of there’s an off-the-court purpose to remain tuned – Ken LaVicka, the Seventeenth-year veteran radio voice of FAU and longtime radio host on ESPN West Palm 106.3 FM.
Last Night Was Historic 🎞️
“One of the most improbable stories in college basketball history has just played out in New York City”@KLV1063 & @TheoDorseyTV making it occur! @FAUMBB is headed their first-ever Final 4
🎥: @TBSNetwork | @TheAndyKatz #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/U5G7Hz533v
— ESPN WEST PALM (106.3 FM) (@ESPNWestPalm) March 26, 2023
Those which have adopted LaVicka have watched as his social media feed took them alongside the experience via his travels to small cities in locations like Kentucky and Louisiana to name FAU soccer and basketball video games.
Known for his pre-game long-distance runs that always finish outdoors the stadiums the place he works, LaVicka for years has documented what life because the voice of the FAU program seems like.
Against all odds, that voice is now on the middle of the sports activities universe.
LaVicka’s calls have unfold like wildfire on social media all through this 12 months’s NCAA match, introducing tens of 1000’s of individuals to FAU (and him) for the primary time.
The Owls’ success despatched LaVicka on a sojourn to Madison Square Garden this previous week, and now, he is headed for Houston as he readies himself to name FAU’s recreation on Saturday night time, April 1, in opposition to San Diego State within the Final Four.
“The entire thing has moved incredibly fast,” LaVicka tells New Times of FAU’s unbelievable ascent from Conference USA champions to a spot within the Final Four.
“This is very high up on the list of career highlights. It may very well be number one.”
Grateful for the kudos he is acquired over his passionate requires FAU’s match wins, LaVicka says the artwork of relaying the motion doesn’t change on the finish of the day, irrespective of if the sport is in opposition to Western Kentucky in December, or with tens of millions tuning in for the Final Four.
“I do enjoy the fact that there are fans who hear my calls and have them resonate with them because I have been able to tap into a feeling that they’re having about this team, this run, and these moments,” LaVicka says.
“That’s the whole point – paint a picture with words and make the listener feel something.”
LaVicka says there’s a bit of him that’s relishing in the truth that the Owls’ run to the Final Four coincided with the Miami Hurricanes’ success within the match.
“Selfishly, I like to think that these calls have also revealed that, in an area where the Miami market tends to overshadow the Palm Beach market, I’m pretty damn good at what I do.”
When requested what made him so positive that FAU has a puncher’s likelihood in opposition to a number of the increased ranked faculties, LaVicka stated that he by no means envisioned the Final Four, however after FAU’s win in opposition to the Florida Gators in November, he had a sense that this was an NCAA Tournament staff.
“This team is extremely tight, extremely connected, and extremely driven. They don’t take any slights, real or perceived, lightly,” LaVicka says. “It’s easy for cliques to form on teams. It’s normal. There isn’t a single clique in this locker room. I’ve never seen that.”
FAU stored their magical run alive with a win the Elite Eight pic.twitter.com/T7O8ZGO28P
— March Madness Men’s Basketball TV (@MM_MBB_TV) March 30, 2023
From a technical standpoint, the consensus is FAU has gotten this far within the match by means of relentless play each offensively and defensively, being an elite rebounding staff, and coming to the court docket with an especially unselfish type.
After years of seeing the staff’s championship hopes fizzle out, LaVicka believes all these elements tie again to good teaching, a trademark that’s been behind the FAU program’s rise since head coach Dusty May accepted the job earlier than the 2018-19 season.
“Since Dusty May showed up there’s been incremental progress each year,” LaVicka says. “This staff confirmed indicators of breakthroughs final 12 months. The elements had been there however they stored discovering methods to lose shut video games.”
South Florida is the present Mecca of school basketball 🔥🔥
Miami Hurricanes
FAU Owls⭐️ Final Four ⭐️ pic.twitter.com/0ThFf1IRWU
— Playbook Sports (@PlaybookSN) March 26, 2023
Despite being on the cusp of taking part in Miami for a title in a recreation that, if it occurs, would make for a historic NCAA storyline, LaVicka stresses the staff hasn’t been hyper-focused on the prospect of a Hurricanes matchup.
“The guys [FAU players] don’t care who they play,” LaVicka says. “Put the team in front of them and it’s time to hoop. I haven’t heard one word [about playing Miami] from them, and I’m with them a lot. It’s been all San Diego State.”
“If that does become reality, [remember that] Miami needed an Isaiah Wong buzzer-beater to take down FAU in Boca [in 2021],” LaVicka provides.
Whatever occurs on Saturday night time, FAU has already put a pin in Boca Raton on the faculty basketball map. Even as FAU’s largest supporter, LaVicka is aware of it is a story, like his personal, that continues to defy logic.
“FAU in the Final Four is surreal. It’s insane. It’s axis-shifting,” LaVicka stated.
“This run has defied everything anyone thought they knew about the sport in the NIL, multi-million dollar facility, five-star McDonald’s All-American era – and it’s awesome.”
