Miami vs NC State Game Preview: Can Miami Continue The Win Streak On The Road In Raleigh

Matthew Cleveland's Status Remains Up In The Air As Miami Looks To Extend Their Winning Streak To Three

With Matthew Cleveland's status up in the air after being ruled out with a hip injury against Pitt on Saturday, the question remains can Miami get the job done without their top wing for another game?

Miami's Matthew Cleveland (hip) is a game-time decision for today's game against NC State, per Jim Larranaga.

Averages 14.8 PPG and 5.8 RPG.

DNP in last game.

— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) January 30, 2024

Miami head coach Jim Larrañaga revealed during yesterday's ACC Men's Basketball Coaches Zoom Call that he's uncertain if Cleveland will play in today's matchup against NC State as he nurses a bruised hip.

re: Cleveland: Recovering from a badly bruised hip. Not sure if he'll be available tomorrow or not.

— Buckets 🪣 (@Buckets_Canes) January 29, 2024

Cleveland has been great for Miami in ACC play this year outside of his performance versus Florida State, as he's averaging 14.6 PPG and 5.0 RPG in conference play.

Looking at this overall matchup however, Miami gets the chance to capture a Quad 2 road win at Raleigh this evening against the NC State Wolfpack. Despite the Wolfpack being losers of three in a row, they can't be overlooked.

In their last four matchups, Miami is winners of three out of the four with NC State taking the most recent win in an overtime thriller last season in Raleigh. However both of these teams look different for this year's matchup.

While Miami is without Isaiah Wong and Jordan Miller, NC State is now without their two leading scorers as well in Terquavion Smith and Jarkel Joiner.

Now leading the way for the Wolfpack are transfer DJ Horne and returning fifth-year senior DJ Burns Jr. who have this NC State team at 13-7 and 5-4 in ACC play.

Regarding the keys to victory for Miami in this matchup, the first will be limiting their turnovers against the Wolfpack. After putting up a season-low eight turnovers against Pitt, the Hurricanes have to keep a tight handle as NC State thrives on forcing turnovers.

Another key to this matchup will be how they defend Horne, as it will likely be a mix of Kyshawn George and Bensley Joseph guarding him. If Cleveland is good to go, Miami should have the depth to keep either George or Joseph in at all times to guard Horne.

The last key will be the Hurricanes need to control the glass in this matchup, as Miami is a better rebounding team with the alpha-rebounder in Norchad Omier (9.7 RPG). If Omier stays out of foul trouble, he should be able to control the glass and sway the game in Miami's favor.

To tune into this ACC matchup, you can find it airing on ESPN2 this evening at 9:00 PM.

Betting odds for this evenings matchup: Miami at NC State (-2.5), Miami ML (+126) & NC State ML (-150)

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