The Miami Hurricanes travel to Virginia Tech with a four game winning streak and having won five of six and eight of their last ten. Miami is coming off of a big win against Duke, while Virginia Tech won at Boston College Saturday.
The Hurricanes won the first meeting with Virginia Tech 74-68 nearly three weeks ago at the Watsco Center. Virginia Tech is 20-8 overall, 9-7, in a three-way for seventh in the ACC. The Hurricanes are tied with Duke for fifth.
The last two games of the season are critical for seeding in the ACC. The win over Duke pushed Miami into the tie with the Blue Devils. Two games separate eight teams in the standings with two games left for most teams.
The teams seeded first through fourth receive a double bye in the ACC Tournament, teams five through nine received a bye out of the first round and the bottom six teams (from 10-15) have to play on day one and win two games just to get to the quarterfinals.
The Hurricanes used an 18-2 run halfway through the second half to open a 65-49 lead on their way to victory in the team’s last meeting. Davon Reed led Miami with 18 points, including malign four of his eight three-point attempts. He also had six assists.
Ja’Quan Newton added 16 points and four rebounds and Anthony Lawrence Jr. scored 12 off the bench for the Hurricanes. Four Hokies finished in double figures at the Watsco Center led by Justin Robinson with 15.
Virginia Tech shot 47.8 percent from the floor, far above Miami’s average allowed field goal percentage on the season 40.7 percent. The ‘Canes did hold VATech to four of 13 on three-point field goal attempts.
Related Story: Miami Hurricanes Hold Off Virginia Tech Late
Setting the Scene
Date: Monday, Feb. 27, 2017
Time: 9 p.m.
Location: Cassell Coliseum | Blacksburg, Va.
RV Miami Hurricanes (20-8, 10-6 ACC)
Head Coach: Jim Larrañaga
Record at Miami: 138-65, sixth season
ACC Record at Miami: 64-40
Career Record: 608-399, 33rd season
RV Virginia Tech Hokies (20-8, 9-7 ACC)
Head Coach: Buzz Williams
Record at VT: 51-45, third season
Career Record: 204-131, 10th season
Broadcasts
TV: ESPN2 Big Monday – Doug Sherman, LaPhonso Ellis
Radio: 560 WQAM – Joe Zagacki
Internet: ACC Network Extra – http://es.pn/2ll2XO1
Series
All-time: 20-13 Since rebirth in 1985-86: 20-13
Home: 10-4
Away: 6-7
Neutral: 4-2
Under Coach Larrañaga: 10-3
Coach L all-time vs. Virginia Tech: 10-3
Current streak: Miami won 2.
Last matchup: Feb. 8, 2017. Miami won, 74-68.
Last Virginia Tech win: March 5, 2016. VT def. No. 7 Miami 77-62.
Polls
Miami – AP: RV(2) / USA Today: RV (11) / RPI: 38 / KenPom: 29 / Warren Nolan: 36
VT – AP: RV(1) / USA Today: NR / RPI: 37 / KenPom: 43 / Warren Nolan: 39
Next Game: The Hurricanes conclude the regular season at Florida State after four days off. Miami squandered a seven point lead with just over a minute remaining in the first half and the Seminoles outscored Miami 44-23 in a decisive second half at the Watsco Center in their last meeting.
Next: Miami Hurricanes Defense Smothers Duke 55-50
Florida State has a big, deep and talented roster. Jonathan Isaac and Dwayne Bacon are both expected to be taken in the first round of the NBA draft and possibly the lottery in June. Xavier Rathan-Mayes is an exceptional point guard. Four ‘Noles finished in double figures in the last meeting led by Bacon and Isaac with 15 each.