Miami, FL
March Madness 2023 Final Four: UConn vs. Miami odds, prediction
For 4 rounds, UConn has hardly been examined alongside its path to the sixth Remaining 4 in program historical past.
Standing in its manner now’s Miami, which has shocked among the prime groups in school basketball en path to its first-ever Remaining 4.
The Huskies opened as sizable favorites and have seen a lot of the motion of their favor within the lead-up to Saturday’s recreation.
Nonetheless, we’ve seen this script earlier than with the Hurricanes, who’ve been doubted each step alongside the way in which of their historic run.
Right here’s how we’re betting Saturday’s contest, which suggestions off at 8:49 p.m. ET on CBS.
UConn vs. Miami choose
UConn vs. Miami prediction and evaluation
Getting into Saturday’s semifinal, Connecticut has dominated each opponent it’s confronted up to now within the NCAA Match. Why would that change on Saturday?
It’s not like this got here out of nowhere for the Huskies, who gained their first 14 video games of the season and peaked as excessive as No. 2 within the polls.
That’s when a 2-6 droop that spanned most of January threw bettors off the scent of Dan Hurley’s crew, even because the superior metrics continued to hail this group as one of many nation’s finest.
We noticed that play out during the last month of the season: from Feb. 7 by means of Choice Sunday, UConn ranked because the No. 1 crew within the nation with top-10 effectivity on each ends and the most effective offensive rebound price (45.6%).
And we’ve seen that dominance proceed into this event, too.
The Huskies’ 28-point win over Gonzaga to clinch this weekend’s semifinal berth was the biggest win by any crew within the Elite Eight in over 30 years.
It was additionally UConn’s fourth win by no less than 15 factors by means of the primary 4 rounds – one thing simply 9 groups have executed in NCAA Match historical past.
5 of these 9 groups gained the nationwide title, and 7 of them gained their Remaining 4 matchup by a median of 10.3 factors.
The lone two outliers? Arizona (1988) and Kentucky (1993), each of which misplaced to fellow No. 1 seeds.
Fifth-seeded Miami deserves a number of credit score for its spectacular run up to now, which has flown within the face of market expectations.
The Hurricanes have been dealing as -130 favorites over No. 12 seed Drake within the first spherical and trailed within the ultimate minutes earlier than closing the sport on a 16-1 run to maintain their season alive.
That set the tone for Jim Larranaga’s group, which has since ripped off dominant second-half runs in every of its subsequent three event wins to arrange Saturday’s conflict with UConn. Miami did it the exhausting manner, too, going through the best attainable seed (No. 5 Indiana, No. 1 Houston, No. 2 Texas) on its method to the college’s first-ever look on this stage.
It’s simple to marvel when this crew’s protection, which ranks exterior of the highest 100 in adjusted effectivity, will ultimately rear its ugly head.
It hasn’t been a difficulty up to now, as Miami has posted an offensive effectivity of 122.0 or higher in every of its final three wins.
Nonetheless, the ‘Canes haven’t seen measurement like what they’ll see on Saturday in opposition to star middle Adama Sanogo (6-9, 245), who’s averaging 20 factors, 9.8 rebounds and 1.3 blocks on 65.5% capturing by means of the primary 4 rounds.
When he hits the bench, he’s changed by freshman Donovan Clingan (7-2, 265), whose 14.6% block price would rank second nationally if he’d performed sufficient minutes to qualify.
If Miami can’t generate offense close to the ring, it’ll must depend on the elite perimeter shot-making that’s carried this group in every of the final three rounds.
We’ve already seen distinctive capturing shows from Nigel Pack (44.8%) and Isaiah Wong (41.7%), each of whom are pulling down greater than 40% of their 3-pointers on this event.
Nonetheless, can these two maintain that once more on Saturday?
It will be silly to jot down that off completely, however UConn’s protection ranks within the prime 15 in 3-point share (29.7%) and 3-point price (30.1%) and has allowed simply 18 made triples on 27.3% effectivity by means of the primary 4 rounds.
Betting on Faculty Basketball?
The X-factor on this recreation shall be UConn guard Jordan Hawkins, who’s averaging 17.3 PPG on this event however might be restricted by sickness on this one.
If he can swimsuit up and play in addition to he did in opposition to Gonzaga – when he hit six of his 10 makes an attempt from deep – he’d be the last word second-half antidote for any potential Miami run.
In the end, the hole between these two groups feels cavernous with the way in which that the Huskies have performed up to now and the relative volatility of the Hurricanes’ 3-point heavy strategy, which feels doomed for a pointy and sudden drop – particularly at NRG Stadium, which is notoriously a tricky place to shoot.
UConn vs. Miami Odds (through BetMGM)
- UConn -5.5 (-110), moneyline -250
- Miami +5.5 (-110), moneyline +200
- O/U 149.5 (below -115)
Miami, FL
How To Watch Miami Heat-Indiana Pacers, Lineups, Injury Report, Betting Lines
Game Time: 5 pm., ET
Where: Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis
TV: FanDuel Sports Network
Betting line: Pacers -4
VITALS: The Miami Heat (5-6) travel to Indianapolis to take on the Indiana Pacers (5-7) in their second of four matchups this season. On Friday night, the Heat won their last duel, 124-111, behind Bam Adebayo’s 30-point double-double. Tonight’s matchup will be the only instance when Miami will play consecutive games against the same opponent where both games will be on the road. Last season, Indiana won the series, 2-1, and Miami has posted a 6-5 record in their last 11 trips to Indiana. The Heat are 57-74 against the Pacers all-time in regular season play, including 42-24 in home games and 15-50 in road games.
PROJECTED STARTERS
HEAT
G Terry Rozier
G Tyler Herro
C Bam Adebayo
F Haywood Highsmith
F Kevin Love
PACERS
G Tyrese Haliburton
G Ben Sheppard
C Myles Turner
F Benedict Mathurin
F Pascal Siakam
INJURY REPORT
HEAT
Jimmy Butler: Out – Right Ankle Sprain
Josh Christopher: Out – G League
Keshad Johnson: Out – G League
PACERS
Isaiah Jackson: Out – Achilles
Andrew Nembhard: Out – Knee
Aaron Nesmith: Out – Left Ankle Sprain
Tristen Newton: Out – G League
James Wiseman: Out – Achilles
QUOTABLE
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra on Bam Adebayo’s performance Friday: “This is what I am talking about. You want to change the ball going in, that’s how you do it. “He was a force of nature. Defense, rebounding, rolling hard to the rim, getting offensive rebounds. The karma changes everything.”
Sean Jordan is a contributor to Miami Heat On Sports Illustrated. He can be reached at sjorda06@syr.edu.
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X: @SeanKJordan
Miami, FL
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Miami, FL
Divine 99 And His Instant Impact For The Miami Hurricanes Men’s Basketball Team
The initial idea for the Miami Hurricanes and head coach Jim Larranaga was the red-shirt freshman Divine Ugochukwu.
In the first two games of the season, he has played so well that he might start to shine more than another special talent in five-star freshman Jalil Bethea.
The Sugar Land, TX native has been more than sweet for the Hurricanes and has found some rotational minutes for the team. He is averaging 11 points on 75-percent shooting from the floor while getting a steal a game in two games played.
The beauty in his play is that he has only started to scratch the surface of what he can be. Hence the reason the team wanted to red-shirt him and develop him. He will likely be a player for the Canes for more than just a year unless he takes over and makes himself undeniable. He is already headed in that direction.
He has a similar play to a college version of NBA All-Star Darius Garland. His finish ability around the rim is outstanding. His vision for where the ball needs to go and getting into position stands above and shines in this little bit of game experience. The only thing that holds him back is his lack of shooting. He hasn’t had the chance to let it go but once he gets the chance to spot up then the real entertainment can begin.
the Hurricanes return to action on Sunday when they host Coppin State at the Watsco Center. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m. and the game will air on ACC Network Extra.
How To Watch: Miami Men’s Basketball Against Coppin State
Read More Miami Hurricanes On SI:
Miami Hurricanes Men’s Basketball Receive Votes In Week 1 Poll
Everything Jim Larranaga Said After Second Win Of The Season
Haley Cavinder Selected to Wooden Award Preseason Top-50 Watch List
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