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.
Advertisement
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.
Advertisement
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.
Advertisement
The lone two outliers? Arizona (1988) and Kentucky (1993), each of which misplaced to fellow No. 1 seeds.
UConn Huskies middle Adama Sanogo has been a power within the NCAA Match.Getty Photos
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.
Advertisement
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.
Miami Hurricanes ahead Norchad Omier celebrates a play in opposition to the Texas LonghornsNCAA Pictures through Getty Photos
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?
Advertisement
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.
SOUTHWEST MIAMI-DADE, FLA. (WSVN) – A woman was transported to the hospital after she was found with a gunshot wound to the head.
According to the Miami-Dade Police Department, units responded to the area of Dunbar Drive in Southwest Miami-Dade at around 2:45 a.m. on Friday, where they located a woman who was lying in the roadway suffering from a gunshot wound.
The victim was transported by Miami-Dade Fire Rescue as a trauma alert to Jackson Memorial Hospital South in critical condition.
Neighbors told 7News off camera they were unsure of the details, although they said they heard sounds at around 2:30 a.m.
Advertisement
A heavy police presence was seen in the area as officials placed crime scene tape and rolled out stretchers.
The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation.
7News additionally has reached out to the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office for more information.
Please check back on WSVN.com and 7News for more details on this developing story.
If you have any information on this crime, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward of up to $5,000.
Advertisement
Copyright 2025 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Join our Newsletter for the latest news right to your inbox
Following the draft and addition of new players to the team, I asked the following question:
From the list of newly added draftees to the team, which player’s jersey will be next on your list to add to your collection?
Below are some of your thoughts and answers-
Jptapt correctly points out that the struggle is real!
Advertisement
You know it’s a long way to training camp. I know you’re trying
TaurusMan71 doesn’t want the real thing, or at least one with a real player.
I don’t think I would buy a jersey, I have a couple of “jersey” t-shirts with names and numbers on the back. But if I had to choose, I would probably get a fictitious character like Ray Tinkle or Al Bundy
Dolfanjoe is correct. We already give them enough of our damn money!
Being retired now, i look for Jerseys at Flea Markets and garage sales. Actually find quite a few in GA. Bought them with tags still on them ! Others slightly worn. Never ashamed to wear my Ricky jersey or Marshal jersey game day or at the sports bar ! Have Marino and quite a few other not so big names. NFL owners make enough from TV and stadium revenue that they really don’t need my extra money !
holland182.0 is open to any possible donations.
I will happily wear any jersey you happen to buy me. I’m not picky
FinsUp88 dodged a bullet on the whole Holland thing.
Haven’t picked up a new body sleeve since Waddle (wanted to so badly with Holland and now hindsight is paying off knowing our FO )
And sadly must hold off another year, unless Grant takes 91 and can “GRANT” #92, our workhorse a solid All-Pro season he deserves after the seasons he’s put in since we picked him up from Baltimore (Sieler is the heart of this D now)
Advertisement
Otherwise, this guy is holding off for a Purdy-like Ewers launch (late in the year lol) to pull a trigger on a Phins jersey this year.
But the maulers we got aren’t selling jerseys, but they just might finally be the right way to win games… if we only stuck to biting kneecaps off with Campbell lol
Bill Moody might eventually spring for the big guard’s jersey.
Probably None, but since I’m down to two right now (Tua – white, Waddle – orange), maybe I’ll pick up a Savaiinaea – aqua at some point. Need to see how he does first.
dedstrk316 isn’t down with the jerseys!
I don’t buy jerseys but if I did I’d get a Biggers jersey. I like the name.
Well, that proved to be one of my less popular questions, but I suspected as much. Thank you again, as always, for all of our participation in our Phinsider Question Of The Day posts.
Inter Miami player ratings vs. San Jose Earthquakes: Lionel Messi shows visible signs of frustration as the Herons settle for a 3-3 draw in a thriller | Goal.com
Miami and San Jose went blow for blow in a six-goal thriller, but Messi’s anger at his team’s current woes were on full display with postgame display
Lionel Messi made local headlines with his decision to travel and play in Inter Miami’s midweek match against the San Jose Earthquakes — his first appearance in the Bay Area since 2009. Odds are, the Argentine legend might have preferred to stay back East, as the Herons were forced to settle for a wild 3-3 draw with the hosts.
Miami avoided defeat, but the club has now gone winless in five of its last six matches and was arguably fortunate to escape with a point. San Jose dominated stretches of the game, particularly in midfield. Javier Mascherano’s side got off to a dream start, with Maxi Falcon scoring just 30 seconds into the match. It looked like an early statement of intent, but Miami’s defensive frailties were exposed almost immediately. Cristian Arango pounced on a quick counterattack, taking advantage of some passive defending to level the score.
From there, it was a track meet – thrilling for neutral fans, but nerve-wracking for both coaches. Neither side could instill much on defense, resulting in a wide-open match. Tadeo Allende delivered a stunning brace for Miami, while Beau Leroux and Ian Harkes rounded out the scoring for the Earthquakes.
Advertisement
If there was a visual indicator of Inter Miami’s current frustration, it came in the dying moments of stoppage time — from Messi himself. After finishing off a brilliant move, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner appeared to be fouled in what many consider his sweet spot for free kicks. As he got up expecting a whistle, the play was instead called back for offside. Messi, clearly furious, stormed toward the officiating crew, shouting his protest as players and staff from both teams — including San Jose coach Bruce Arena — tried to restrain him. At one point, a referee could be heard asking, “Do you want to be sent off?”
Things need to change – and quickly – or it could get worse for Mascherano and Inter Miami.
GOAL rates Inter Miami’s players from PayPal Park…
