The Miami basketball team travels internationally when they play Georgia in the Baha Mar Bahamas Hoops Championship on Friday. Miami has started the 2023-24 season 3-0 with wins over NJIT, Central Florida and FIU. After a season-opening loss to Oregon, Georgia has defeated Wake Forest and North Carolina Central.
The Miami basketball team has started the season scorching offensively. Miami is 25th nationally averaging 91.7 points per game,13th making 11.7 three-point shots per game, 15th with a 54.5 field goal percentage and making 50.0 percent on three-point attempts. Miami is also 59th averaging 76.7 possessions per game.
Georgia is averaging 71.7 PPG and allowing 71.0. The player to watch for Georgia is 6’7 senior guard Jabri Abdur-Rahim. Abdur-Rahim is the son of former NBA star Shareef Abdur-Rahim. Abdur-Rahim is averaging 16.0 PPG and 4.3 rebounds. None of the other Bulldogs are averaging in double figures.
All five Miami starters average at least 12 PPG. Wooga Poplar is having the breakout season Jim Larranaga predicted. Poplar is averaging 20.7 PPG, 4.3 RPG, and is shooting 57.1 percent from the floor, making 70 percent of his three-point attempts and 100 percent of his free throws.
Miami Basketball versus Georgia: Baha Mar Bahamas Hoops Championship
Date: Fri., Nov. 17, 2023, Time: 3:30 p.m. ET, Location: Nassau, Bahamas, Arena: Baha Mar Grand Ballroom, Live Stats: miami.statbroadcast.com, Television: CBS Sports Network, Radio: 560 WQAM, Series: 1-3, Georgia, at Miami: 1-1, at Georgia: 0-2, Neutral: 0-0, Last Meeting: L, 69-67 (12/22/92)
Georgia (2-1, 0-0 SEC), Head Coach: Mike White (Ole Miss ‘00). Record at UGA: 18-17, Career Record: 261-145, Record vs. UM: 2-1
#12/11 Miami (3-0, 0-0 ACC), Head Coach: Jim Larrañaga (Providence ‘71), Record at UM: 258-149, Career Record: 728-483. Record vs. UGA: N/A
Miami versus Georgia Fan Duel Odds
Spread: Miami -6.5 Total 147.5 Moneyline: Miami -245 Georgia +198 Total 155.5 Over -120 Under -102
Courtesy MiamiHurricanes.Com
After covering the spread in its first two games, Miami defeated FIU by six as a 17-point favorite. Georgia is 1-2 versus the point spread this season. In their only game as an underdog this season Georgia lost to Oregon by 11 with the Ducks favored by 6.5. All three Miami games and two of three for Georgia have exceeded the over.
Miami Basketball versus Georgia prediction
The Miami basketball should defeat Georgia and cover. Miami has to improve its rebounding and limit second-chance points. Miami has far more scorers than Georgia and will want to push the pace. Expect Georgia to slow the game down. The 155.5 total is low for the way Miami has played this season.
Miami will play either Kansas State or Providence on Sunday in the Bahamas. Either game would provide intrigue. Kansas State would provide Nijel Pack a chance to play his former school. Providence would allow Jim Larranaga the opportunity to play his alma mater for the second year in a row.
The Miami women’s hoops team will attempt to improve to 3-0 when they host Southern at 5:00 pm on Friday afternoon. Miami defeated Jacksonville and Fordham in its first two games. Miami will host a Thanksgiving tournament next Friday and Sunday with Colgate, East Tennessee State and Norfolk State will also participate.