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The No.14-seeded Buffalo Bulls challenge the No.3-seeded Miami (FL) Hurricanes in the first round of the NCAA tournament at Dunkin’ Donuts Center. Action begins at 6:50 pm ET on Thursday, Mar. 17 and can be seen on TNT.
The Hurricanes were beaten by Virginia 73-68 in the 4 of the Atlantic Coast tournament. Ja’Quan Newton was the team’s high scorer, finishing with 19. The Bulls, meanwhile, are coming off a 64-61 win against Akron in the 4 of the Mid-American tournament. CJ Massinburg was the game’s top scorer, registering 18 points on 6-for-9 shooting.
Blake Hamilton has upped his play over the last five games for the Bulls, averaging 17.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.4 steals, and 2.4 three-pointers.
The Hurricanes are hoping to build on their records of 25-7 Straight Up (SU) and 18-12-1 Against The Spread (ATS). The Hurricanes are a dangerously accurate shooting team from the line with a .751 free throw percentage, one of the highest marks in Division I. Miami (FL)’s three-point defense can be considered one of the best in the nation. The Hurricanes allow a .336 opponent three-point field goal percentage, one of the lowest shooting rates in the nation. Miami (FL) will look to take advantage of the Bulls and their propensity to foul. Buffalo ranks 301st in the nation in fouls, averaging 21.4 per game.
On the other side, the Bulls have a record of 17-13-2 ATS and 20-14 SU. The Bulls are a force on the boards, grabbing an average of 39.1 rebounds per game.
Miami (FL) and Buffalo will be facing off for their first head-to-head game in recent seasons.
Predictions: SU Winner – Buff, ATS Winner – Buff
Notes
“Miami is 19-6 SU in its last 25 games “.
“The total has gone UNDER in 14 of Miami’s last 21 games “.
Buffalo won its last game by a three-point margin. In games decided by a margin of three points or less, Miami (FL) is 3-1. Buffalo is 2-2 in close games this season.
The Miami (FL) Hurricanes have a defensive rating of 101.1 (ranked 47th), while the Buffalo Bulls have an offensive rating of 107.3 (ranked 141st).
The Miami (FL) Hurricanes average a field goal percentage of 47.7% this season. The Buffalo Bulls are 4-5 when opponents have a FG% of 47.7% or greater.
The Miami (FL) Hurricanes rank higher based on their field goal percentage (26th) than their effective field goal percentage (32nd). The Buffalo Bulls rank higher based on their effective field goal percentage (191st) than their field goal percentage (196th).
Miami (FL) ranks 93rd in the nation with an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.20. Buffalo is ranked lower at 265th with an A/TO of .93.
Miami (FL) ranks 253rd in offensive rebounds, while Buffalo ranks 69th in defensive rebounds.
The Miami (FL) Hurricanes make an average of 6.1 steals per game. When the Buffalo Bulls allow 6 or more steals, they are a solid 9-5.
