Jan 4, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Miami Hurricanes guard Nijel Pack (24) dribbles against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the first half at McCamish Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
The Midwest Regional Final pits two high octane offense between Miami (Florida) and Texas on Sunday night.
The No. 2 seed in the South, Texas, dominated Xavier in the Sweet 16 on Friday night, 83-71, and are favored to advance to its first Final Four since 2003, but it’s No. 5 Miami who turned heads on Friday by hanging 89 points on No. 1 seed Houston in a 14-point victory.
The Hurricanes got a massive outing from Nijel Pack, who hit seven of his 10 three’s in the victory, can he and Isiah Wong lead them to the Final Four?
Here are the odds for Sunday’s Elite Eight matchup:
Miami (Florida) vs. Texas odds, spread and total
Miami (Florida) vs. Texas prediction and pick
It’s worth noting before we break this game down that Texas can be without star big man Dylan Disu, who left the Xavier game a few minutes in with what is being called a “bone bruise” on his foot. Disu was spotted on the bench in a walking boot and is “questionable” for the Elite Eight.
If the Vanderbilt transfer can’t go, that’s a big loss against the big men of Miami, namely Norchad Omier, who had 12 points and 10 rebounds as well as three assists in the team’s win over Houston.
While Texas has the strong backcourt defense to try and stick to Pack and Wong, who combined for 46 points on Friday night, this is a tough matchup with a slow footed Longhorns frontcourt on the floor. If Disu can’t go, or is even limited, that will be a lot of pressure on the likes of Christian Bishop and Brock Cunningham. While the team was able to shut down Xavier’s offense, Miami’s guard play is far more dynamic and its bigs are more mobile.
The Longhorns offense should cook here as well, even without Disu. The team loves to get downhill and is more than happy to pull up in the midrange, the team has the 26th best field goal percentage in that area this season while Miami checks in 282nd defending it.
We have seen the good and the bad from Texas through three games in the tournament, the team carved both Xavier and Colgate from beyond the arc, 20-of-35 on three’s in those two wins, but also struggle against Penn State, hitting only one of its 13 shots from three. Whether the Longhorns or on from deep or not, I think the pace should be fast as Miami looks to keep up the tempo after feasting on Houston in transition in the Sweet 16 win and Texas should be able to answer inside.
With Disu’s status in question, I prefer the over rather than a side in this game.
Track all of Reed’s bets at Betstamp HERE!
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.
