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It will be a battle between Atlantic Coast opponents when the No. 11 Miami (FL) Hurricanes (20-4) welcome the Virginia Tech Hokies (13-12) to BankUnited Center. The game gets underway at 9:00 pm ET on Wednesday, Feb. 17 and will air on EFC and ES3.
The Hurricanes enter this game hoping for similar success after barely hanging on to beat Florida State 67-65 on Sunday. Sheldon McClellan was the game’s high scorer with 20 points on 4-for-14 shooting. The Hokies, meanwhile, are coming off a demoralizing 67-49 loss against Virginia on Tuesday. Justin Robinson had a team-high 16 points.
Trips to the foul line may prove key for the Hokies in this one. They’re ranked fourth in the nation in FTA rate (49.0), while Miami (FL) is among the best at keeping opponents off of the charity stripe (ranking 30th by allowing a FTA rate of 28.4).
The Hurricanes enter the game with records of 20-4 Straight Up (SU) and 14-8-1 Against The Spread (ATS). They have been better ATS (7-3) than SU (3-7) over their last 10 games. The Hurricanes have seen a decline in scoring as of late, averaging 70.3 points during the last 10 games compared to their season average of 77.5 points per game. The Hurricanes are a phenomenal shooting team with a .475 field-goal percentage, one of the highest marks in Division I. As for the Miami (FL) defense, teams routinely struggle to score points against the Hurricanes, who allow only 66.0 points per game. The Hurricanes prevent teams from making three-pointers, ranking 22nd in the nation with 139 total three-pointers allowed (5.0 per game). Miami (FL) is very careful and attentive with the ball, averaging the 21st-fewest turnovers per game at only 10.6.
Across the court, Virginia Tech has a SU record of 13-12 and an ATS record of 11-7-1.
Miami (FL) and Virginia Tech meet for what will be their first head-to-head battle of the season. Miami (FL) won the last game in the matchup, moving its SU record against Virginia Tech to 7-3 in their most recent head-to-head meetings. At 5-5, they are even ATS. When it comes to field goals, rebounds, and three-pointers, Miami (FL) held the edge in all three of these categories two times in the last five meetings. Virginia Tech never did so in those games.
Predictions: SU Winner – Mia-Fl, ATS Winner – Mia-Fl
Notes
Miami (FL) averages 77.5 points per game (ranked 72nd). Virginia Tech, on the other hand, allows 72.6 points per game (ranked 160th).
Virginia Tech scores just 69.2 points per away game (ranked 148th). Miami (FL) ranks 65th in points allowed at home, giving up 64.7 points.
Ranked 19th, the Miami (FL) Hurricanes have an offensive rating of 116.1. The Virginia Tech Hokies rank 164th with a defensive rating of just 103.0.
The Virginia Tech Hokies average 70.3 possessions per game and 1.056 points per possession. The Miami (FL) Hurricanes earn fewer possessions with 66.8, but they score more points with 1.161.
The Virginia Tech Hokies average an effective field goal percentage of 49.0% this season. The Miami (FL) Hurricanes have a winning 8-4 record in games where opponents have an eFG% of 49.0% or greater.
On average, the Miami (FL) Hurricanes attempt 19.0 three point field goals per game and the Virginia Tech Hokies attempt 16.0. In games where they attempt at least 20 threes, Miami (FL) has a fantastic 12-2 record, while Virginia Tech is 2-3.
Virginia Tech makes an average of 5.2 steals per game. Miami (FL) has a superb 14-2 record when it allows at least 5 steals.
