ACC Tournament: Miami vs Wake Forest Preview and Prediction
The #1 seeded Miami Hurricanes will play the #9 seeded Wake Forest Demon Deacons.
To get to this second contest, Wake Forest defeated Syracuse 77-74. The key was a last-second 3-point shot made by Daivien Williamson.
That big play led to today’s highly anticipated chance for Wake Forest to play Miami again, a team that out-shot the Demon Deacons en route to a 96-87 victory the first time they met this season at the Watsco Center on Feb. 18.
Will Wake Forest have enough in the tank – physically and mentally – to knock off Miami? Here’s today’s preview.
Game time: noon
Television: ESPN2
SI Sportsbook Betting Lines
Odds: Miami -6.5
Over/Under: 157
Money Line: Miami (-300), Wake Forest (+200)
KenPom Rankings to Note
Miami’s adjusted offense is No. 13 overall at 113.5, while Wake Forest came in at No. 56 with 112.6. While both teams are good offensively, the defense has not been as productive.
The Hurricanes came in at #122 with 103.2, while the Demon Deacons were #145 with 104.1. As the numbers from these two categories indicated, as well as the prior game being a total of 183 points combined, today’s contest should be an offensive affair. Here are today's expected starting lineups.
Miami Hurricanes
G
Nijel Pack
, 6-0, 185, 13.4 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 2.5 app
G
Isaiah Wong
, 6-4, 185, 15.9 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 3.4 apg
G
Wooga Poplar
, 6-5, 190, 8.2 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 1.4 apg
G
Jordan Miller
, 6-7, 195, 15.1 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 2.6 apg
F
Norchad Omier
, 6-7, 250, 14.1 ppg, 10 rpg, 1.3 apg
Wake Forest Demon Deacons
G
Tyree Appleby
, 6-1, 165, 18.7 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 6.5 apg
G
Cameron Hildreth
, 6-4, 195, 12.2 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 2.7 apg
G
Daivien Williamson
, 6-1, 180, 8.6 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 0.7 apg
F
Andrew Carr
, 6-10, 220, 10.9 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 1.2 apg
F
Bobi Klintman
, 6-10, 225, 5.3 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 0.8 apg
Matchups to Consider
The Demon Deacons hold a notable size advantage, but then again, Miami has been accustomed to that and still went on to be co-AAC regular season champions with Virginia. That brings up a rather unique matchup for this contest.
How will Jordan Miller and Andrew Carr match up in a halfcourt situation as compared to during a fastbreak?
Miller has been one of college basketball’s most versatile players, guarding point guards to power forwards. Carr will hold an edge in the post. Based on the regular season, when Miller and the Hurricanes have the ball, it’s important to note that bigger players like Carr have often struggled to run with him in the open court.
Do the Canes utilize double teams to slow down Carr?
Miami head coach Jim Larranaga has trusted Miller quite a bit this season, but the Hurricanes could mix it up today with various defensive looks; it’s hard to project.
Will Wake Forest keep an extra offensive player back so that Miller does not streak down the court and get point-blank looks at the basket?
Wake Forest head coach Steve Forbes has some interesting decisions to make with guarding Miller because of the open-court speed difference favors Miller. Of course, there’s Wake Forest’s main man as well.
Tyree Appleby is a tremendous scorer and passer. To defend him, it’s more about team defense for the Canes. Nijel Pack and Isaiah Wong will be matched up with Appleby most of the time, but Miami switches as well.
No matter who’s guarding Appleby, they cannot give him an inch with a ball screen because Appleby will rise and fire from 23-feet and beyond without hesitation.
As for how this game will play out, the one additional factor of rest should help Miami. The Canes have not played since knocking off Pittsburgh on Saturday. Miami will be the stronger team during the final five minutes, and come out with a victory.
Look for Wong to get back on track offensively after hitting only one shot from the field versus the Panthers. He goes for 18 points today to lead Miami.
Miami 85 Wake Forest 81
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Fan Nation High school football recruiting analyst covering the state of Florida, as well as across the Southeastern United States and the state of Texas.