Miami, considered a bubble team for the NCAA tournament, could do with one more signature win to improve its chances of entering the field of 68. The ‘Canes will have that chance when they take on No. 11 Notre Dame in the quarterfinals of the ACC tournament. Will Miami take a much coveted win? Read on as we break down this exhilarating affair.
Can’t get enough of the ACC? Check out our complete previews for North Carolina vs. Louisville and Florida State vs. Virginia.
[sc:MarchMadness ]Miami Hurricanes vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish Preview
Where: Greensboro Coliseum Complex, Greensboro, NC
When: Thursday, March 12, 9:00 PM ET
Line: Miami Hurricanes vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish – view all NCAA Basketball lines
Betting on the Miami Hurricanes
The Miami Hurricanes extended their run in the 2015 ACC tournament with a 59-49 win over lowly Virginia Tech on Wednesday night. The ‘Canes have now won three games in a row.
[sc:NCAAB240banner ]Miami’s confidence will be at a high coming into its quarterfinal game against Notre Dame. They ‘Canes have performed well against the top dogs of the ACC, with single digit losses to Virginia, Notre Dame, Louisville (twice) and North Carolina, as well as a win against Duke. All teams are ranked in the top 20 in the nation.
The Hurricanes’ leading scorer, Sheldon McClellan (14.8 points per game), had 16 points on 5-of-9 shooting in the win over Virginia Tech. He led Miami with 17 points in its 75-70 regular season loss to Notre Dame in January. McClelland could be up for another big game against Notre Dame. He’s been on a tear, scoring 16.8 points per game over an eight-game span. Miami has gone 6-2 (4-4 ATS) during that stretch.
If Miami is to keep this game close, it’ll need another strong day on the boards. The Hurricanes almost matched Notre Dame board-for-board in the first game 33-32. Center Tonye Jekiri led the way with 13 rebounds in that game. No other Hurricane had more than four rebounds.
Jekiri should be up for another big game on the boards. Notre Dame has been outrebounded in its last three games (109-89), allowing at least one opposing player to reach double-digits in boards. Jekiri has averaged 10.6 rebounds per game in his last eight.
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Betting on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Nobody has done more for Notre Dame than leading scorer Jerian Grant. He’s averaged 17.7 points while shooting 52 percent in their victories. And when he can’t get it going, they usually lose. He’s averaging just 12 points per game in the Irish’s losses.
Grant was especially effective in Notre Dame’s regular season win against Miami. He scored a game-high 23 points on 8-of-10 shooting. Grant also dished out eight assists as four other Notre Dame players – Pat Connaughton, Demetrius Jackson, Steve Vasturia and V.J. Beachem – scored in double-digits.
Of the four, Jackson and Vasturia have been hot over the last five games of the regular season averaging 11.2 and 10 points respectively. They combined for 21 points against Miami.
Miami has tightened up its defense recently, limiting opponents to just 58 points per game over its last three games. But a strong defense shouldn’t bother Notre Dame too much. The Irish’s offense ranks second in the ACC with 78.9 points per game. Their unselfish play (15.2 assists per game, fourth in the ACC) should allow them team to find the open man for easy buckets.
The Irish have won five of their last six games, going 4-2 against the spread.
Writer’s Prediction
The Irish take a comfortable win to advance to the ACC Semifinals.
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