Cavinder twins in spotlight as Miami Hurricanes face Oklahoma State in NCAA Tournament

Of all the places the Cavinder twins could have landed for their first NCAA Tournament, few could have been more perfect than Bloomington, Indiana.

Hanna and Haley Cavinder, the University of Miami guards, were born in South Bend, Indiana. Their happy place is the town of Watervliet, Michigan (pop. 1,648), a four-hour drive from Assembly Hall, where the Hurricanes will play Oklahoma State in the first round of the tournament on Saturday at 2 p.m. (ESPN).

One might assume that with 4.4 million TikTok followers and a Name, Image, Likeness portfolio valued at more than $1 million, the Cavinder twins would feel most at home in the bright lights of Miami. The truth is, they are most comfortable relaxing with their extended family in Watervliet, a rural farming community known for its Lake Michigan shore beaches, dunes and state parks.

“It’s been super exciting being in Indiana, this is where we were born, so our family gets to come down and it’s pretty full circle,” Haley Cavinder said.

Hanna anticipates that 30 relatives will be making the drive to the game.

The twins transferred to Miami from Fresno State last spring hoping for a better chance to play in the NCAA Tournament. They got their wish.

Miami (19-12) is the No. 9 seed in the Greenville 2 Region and faces the eighth-seeded Cowgirls (21-11).

“Leaving Miami and getting on the plane made it more real, but it’s a business trip and we’re preparing for Oklahoma State like we have for all the ACC teams,” Haley said. “We’re just doing the daily road routine, going over sets, practicing, film. This is what Hanna and I came for, so we’re excited to play.”

Hanna said she is trying not to overhype the occasion.

“It’s March and there’s pressure each game to advance and move on. But, we have to approach it with a calm mindset,” Hanna said. “This is the same game we’ve been playing, same hoop, same basketball, so I’m telling myself not to make it bigger than it is. You’re still just playing the game you’ve been playing since you were younger.”

Haley is Miami’s leading scorer, averaging 12.6 points and 4.7 rebounds per game and was named second team All-ACC. Last year, she was an All-Mountain West First-Team selection with 19.8 points and 9.5 rebounds per game. She also set the NCAA single-season free-throw percentage record with 97.3 percent shooting.

This season, she is shooting 89.7 percent from the line.

Free throw shooting is critical in March, so Haley’s accuracy will be a key factor for the Hurricanes. It is a skill she has worked on diligently for three years. She shot only 60 percent from the line as a freshmen, and Fresno coaches challenged her to pick up her numbers. She started shooting 100 every day after practice.

“I learned to do the exact same thing, look exact same place every time I do a free throw,” Haley said. “It became a habit and if you do exact same thing over time you get the same result. I already know what I’m going to do, no matter the scene or the place. It’s a free point for the team, so just step up and make it. I’m not thinking anything. If you start thinking, you’re going to miss it.”

Hanna started all 29 games for Fresno State last season and averaged 37.1 minutes. This season with Miami, she plays off the bench, averaging four points and is fourth on the team in three-pointers made.

Despite the reduced minutes, Hanna feels every bit a part of the team’s success and is her sister’s biggest supporter.

“I don’t really compete with Haley like that,” she said. “Yes, she plays my position, but Haley’s win is my win. I don’t see her success as a failure to me at all. We push each other every day. Haley keeps me accountable, no matter what my role is on the team. There’s no animosity off the court at all. If anything, Haley’s always trying to push me to be better and be confident in myself.”

No matter what happens on Saturday, the Cavinders will be there for each other.

“I’ve seen Hanna at her worst and best on the court and she’s my favorite teammate to play with, whether she plays or not, and she knows that,” Haley said. “It’s real special to have someone in your corner through the highs and lows of being a college athlete. Experiencing it together is something you can’t really explain.”