A golden opportunity to cop the solo share of the ACC standings’ top spot slipped through the Miami Hurricanes’ fingers on Saturday, when they were beaten by the North Carolina Tar Heels. That shouldn’t make the Hurricanes any less of a threat to the Virginia Cavaliers, however. Like the ‘Canes, Virginia is looking to go on an impressive stretch to close out the ACC regular season.
Read on for more about this matchup. You can also check out our preview of the Iowa State vs. West Virginia game.
Virginia Cavaliers vs. Miami (FL) Hurricanes Preview
Where: BankUnited Center, Coral Gables
When: Monday, February 22, 9:00 PM ET
Line: Virginia Cavaliers (+1) at Miami (FL) Hurricanes (-1) – view all NCAAB lines
TV Broadcast: ESPN
Betting on the Virginia Cavaliers (21-5, 10-4 ACC)
The Hoos’ defense that let Duke hit 45.1 percent of its shots, including eight threes, was back to its usual vaunted form against the Wildcats. NC State shot only 40.4% and went 3-for-16 from deep with the Wildcats’ high-scoring guard Cat Barber managing just 14 points.
Virginia’s going to need to be as effective on defense to slow down the Hurricanes, just as the Cavs did when they held Miami to 42.0% shooting in the first meeting this season, a 66-58 win for Tony Bennett’s boys.
The Cavaliers are surrendering 59.5 points per game, but their defense has been even better of late, as they’ve allowed a mere 51.5 points over their last six outings.
As for their offense, the Cavaliers are counting on leading scorer Malcolm Brogdon to deliver the goods anew. Brogdon, who averages 17.8 points per game, was solid in the first meeting with Miami, leading the team with 20 points on 7-for-15 from the field.
He should also get ample support from the likes of Anthony Gill and London Perrantes, who are putting up 13.8 and 11.3 points per game, respectively, thus far this season. The three combined for 48 points in the earlier matchup with the Hurricanes.
Virginia is 4-1 SU and ATS in its last five games as the road team.
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Betting on the Miami (FL) Hurricanes (21-5, 10-4 ACC)
The Hurricanes looked every bit the underdog in their game against North Carolina, as they were thoroughly dominated by the Tar Heels in a 96-71 loss on Saturday. That said, Miami should remain a threat for any opponent going forward. That includes the No. 7-ranked Hoos, who are looking to sweep Miami in the regular season.
Miami absorbed one of its worst losses of the season versus the Tar Heels game, as the Canes didn’t appear to do anything good in that game. For one, their defense was turned into a joke by North Carolina, which shot 54.2% from the floor and came away with 43 rebounds as against Miami’s 29.
Miami, however, should do a better job on the glass against Virginia. The Hurricanes are 10th in the conference with 36.2 rebounds per game, while the Cavs are second worst with 31.7.
Sheldon McClellan, who posted 10 points against Duke, is expected to play a pivotal role in the rematch with Virginia. The senior guard is averaging 16.1 points this season. Angel Rodriguez, meanwhile, is arguably the team’s best all-around player of late, as he’s averaged 13.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 5.3 assists over the Canes’ past four games.
Miami, which is averaging 77.0 points per game, is 10-0 SU and 7-2-1 ATS in its past 10 home games.
Writer’s Prediction
Virginia (+1) wins, 68-66.
