CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The University of Miami men's basketball team returned to Coral Gables late Sunday after winning the Atlantic Coast Conference.
The team arrived at the Coral Gables campus about 11 p.m. Hundreds of fans greeted the team.
Recommended Videos
"It just shows that basketball can be important down here and we just want to keep working to make it so that it's like this every year," said sophomore guard Shane Larkin.
"Everybody's out here ready for us, showing us so much love," said senior guard Durand Scott. "It's just fantastic."
LINK: Join Local 10's Bracket Challenge
PRINT: 2013 NCAA Tournament bracket
The Hurricanes defeated the North Carolina Tar Heels 87-77 in the championship game Sunday. Larkin had 28 points and 7 assists in the win.
The trophy was on display inside the university's bookstore.
"When I went to class, everybody started clapping," said senior forward Kenny Kadji.
"The best part as a team was just the celebration," said senior forward Julian Gamble. "I mean, seeing that clock hit triple zeroes and knowing that you just did something that's never been done in your school's history is a feeling that's really hard to describe."
The Hurricanes also won the ACC regular season title.
"I think they realized that they're going through something very, very special and they're enjoying the moment," said coach Jim Larranaga.
READ: Larranaga has Miami poised for NCAA run
The Associated Press' college basketball poll had Miami ranked fifth.
The NCAA tournament selection committee gave the Hurricanes a two seed.
19359552
Related: Louisville top seed in NCAA tournament
Miami faces Pacific in the second round of the NCAA tournament. The game is scheduled at 2:10 p.m. Friday in Austin, Texas.