The Virginia Tech Hokies hadn’t won more than two conference games in each of the past two seasons, so this season can be considered some kind of success for the team. The Hokies could make this season extra memorable if they could take down a giant in the form of the seventh-ranked Miami Hurricanes, who demolished Virginia Tech last February, and are chasing an ACC regular season title.
Read on for more about this game. You can also check out our preview of Georgetown vs. Villanova.
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Miami (FL) Hurricanes vs. Virginia Tech Hokies Preview
Where: Cassell Coliseum, Blacksburg
When: Saturday, March 5, 4:00 PM ET
Line: Miami (FL) Hurricanes vs. Virginia Tech Hokies – view all NCAA Basketball lines
Betting on the Miami (FL) Hurricanes (24-5, 13-4 ACC)
And just like in most of their games, it was the tandem of Sheldon McClellan and Angel Rodriguez which carried the team into the win over the Fighting Irish. McClellan, who leads the Canes in scoring with 15.6 points per game, scored 17 points, while Rodriguez pumped out a game-high 19 points.
Miami, however, has other offensive weapons in its arsenal to show against Virginia Tech. In the Canes’ easy 65-49 win over the Hokies on February 17, four Miami players scored in double figures, while the team shot 50.0 percent from the field overall.
If it’s not McClellan or Rodriguez spearheading the offense, it’s guys like Davon Reed and Ja’Quan Newton, who are leading the way. It just last February 22nd when Reed dropped 21 points when the Hurricanes’ scored a 64-61 upset win over No. 3 Virginia.
Miami’s defense has also played a big part in Jim Larrañaga’s squad this season. Virginia Tech knows this because the Hokies shot an embarrassing 29.0% percent from the field against Miami in the previous matchup.
The Hurricanes are allowing 66.3 points per game, 47th best in Division I ball.
Miami is 3-1 SU and ATS in its last four games away from Coral Gables.
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Betting on the Virginia Tech Hokies (17-13, 9-8 ACC)
The Hokies are unlikely to go dancing, but at least they’re winding up their regular season schedule with a bunch of wins. With a 65-61 win over Pittsburgh on Wednesday, the Hokies enter their matchup with Miami carrying a four-game win streak. Those victories, however, came against conference lightweights (Florida State, Boston College, Wake Forest, and Pittsburgh).
In any case, the Hokies’ late surge should help boost their confidence in a rematch with March Madness-bound Miami. Virginia Tech’s offense has been terrific of late thanks in large part to the Hokies facing dummy defenses, as the team averaged 78.3 points on 50.0% shooting.
Leading scorer Zach LeDay is hoping his shots will fall today, as he went just 2-for-9 from the field and finished with six points back in Coral Gables. LeDay, who scored 20 points against Pittsburgh, paces the team with 15.0 PPG.
Justin Bibbs, meanwhile, is looking to bounce back following a sorry performance against the Panthers, wherein he failed to score in double figures for the first time in four games. He entered that contest with an average of 15.3 points in the previous three outings.
Virginia Tech outrebounded Miami in the first meeting, 33-32.
The Hokies are 8-0 ATS in their last eight games as the home team.
Writer’s Prediction
Miami wins, 75-65.
