Miami vs. Virginia Tech Odds
| Miami Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+4.5 -110 | 135.5 -110o / -110u | +180 |
| Virginia Tech Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-4.5 -110 | 135.5 -110o / -110u | -225 |
In Miami, it's all about the U, and with football gone by the wayside, Jim Larranaga and the Hurricanes have given their faithful plenty to cheer about on the court.
Their 14-5 start includes six wins against conference opponents that have vaulted them to the top of the ACC standings. They will have the opportunity to improve their record in this matchup against Virginia Tech.
The Hokies have already had their shares of ups and downs this season. They were impressive in nonconference play early on, as they played tight games with Memphis and Xavier, which were followed by a blowout of St. Bonaventure.
However, conference play has been a much different story. The Hokies are 2-6 in the ACC and enter this one on the heels of back-to-back conference losses.
This return home may be the medicine they need to get back on their feet, but the Hurricanes won't go down easy. Let's break down this interconference battle.
Miami Hurricanes
Will the Hurricanes' Shots Begin to Fall Again?
The Hurricanes offense is predicated around their trio of sharpshooting guards. Unfortunately for them, their snipers were off the mark in the last matchup against Florida State. Charlie Moore, Kameron McGusty, and Isaiah Wong combined to go 15-for-40 from the field.
Their subpar shooting led to an early deficit that, despite their best efforts, they were unable to crawl out of.
One bad effort could signify positive shooting regression given the Hurricanes' track record. They are 57th in effective field goal percentage and rank 76th and 72nd in 3-point and 2-point percentage, respectively.
While a bounce-back effort may be in the cards, the Hokies have been quite a stout defensive unit. They rank 52nd in adjusted defensive efficiency and 54th in effective field goal percentage. Virginia Tech is even tougher on shots behind the arc, as it's held shooters to just 28.7% from long range.
The key for the Hurricanes will not only be to create quality shot attempts but establish the tempo in which their offense thrives. Miami plays much faster than Virginia Tech, and if it can up the tempo, it could disrupt the Hokies on both ends of the floor.
Virginia Tech Hokies
Hokies Have Big Edge on the Glass
A common theme in each of the Hokies' last two losses has been a disparity in rebounding numbers. Against Boston College, they were outrebounded, 38-23, and against North Carolina, the gap shrank slightly as they had 32 rebounds to 43 for the Tar Heels.
The Hokies will have an opportunity to reverse that trend against the Hurricanes. Miami has not been particularly great on the glass, as they rank 304th in offensive rebounding percentage and 295th offensive rebounding percentage allowed.
On top of the numbers, Virginia Tech will also have the size advantage down low. Its rotation features multiple players who are 6-foot-9 or taller, and the Hurricanes' only player over that height is on the floor just 63% of the time.
If Virginia Tech can slow the game down and play at its pace, it could find consistent success offensively. The Hokies are 42nd in effective field goal percentage and have been one of the best teams from behind the arc, sporting the 10th-best 3-point percentage in the nation.
Conversely, the Hurricanes are 286th in effective field goal percentage allowed, 267th in 3-point percentage, and 278th in 2-point percentage.
Miami vs. Virginia Tech Betting Pick
Everything in this matchup points to a big performance from the Hokies. They will have the edge in nearly every facet, and they'll be at home.
We may even get them at a great number here, as the Hurricanes are the better team on the surface because of their record, but the numbers say otherwise. KenPom has the Hokies as six-point favorites here, and I do not believe it will get to that number.
While that outlook is enticing, we still need to be mindful in finding value in that projection. I will be backing the Hokies here in hopes of getting them as a one-possession favorite, but I'm willing to stretch a bit beyond that in this spot.
