© Jay Biggerstaff, USA TODAY (Left & Right)
Longhorns vs. Miami Elite 8 March Madness: Preview, Betting Odds, How to Watch
KANSAS CITY, MO. - Right after a convincing 83-71 win in the Sweet 16 over the Xavier Musketeers at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City on Friday, Texas Longhorns interim coach Rodney Terry was asked about preparations for the Elite 8.
"You're not going to let me enjoy this for one night, huh?" Terry said with a laugh.
But given Texas' next opponent, there's certainly little reason to sit back and relax.
No. 2 seed Texas will face off with the No. 5 seed Miami Hurricanes in the Elite 8 on Sunday with a spot in the Final Four on the line. Terry's reaction was to a question about Miami guard Nijel Pack, who led the Canes with 26 points on seven triples in a dominant 89-75 upset win over the No. 1 seed Houston Cougars on Friday.
The game will mark the fourth all-time meeting between the two programs, as Texas leads the series 2-1. The most recent meeting just so happened to come in the Round of 32 in the 2008 NCAA Tournament, the last time the Longhorns made it to Elite 8.
Texas won that game 75-72, as D.J. Augustin, A.J. Abrams and Co. helped send the Longhorns to the Sweet 16. Now 15 years later, everything's coming full circle.
Miami finished the regular season with a 28-7 record and were 15-5 in the ACC, winning the conference's regular-season title.
Miami's win over Houston was even more impressive considering the Canes hit 11 triples, shot 51.7 percent from the field and posted a NCAA Tournament program-best 89 points against an elite Cougars defense that was second in the country this season in fewest points allowed per game (56.6) and first in opponent field goal percent (36.1).
The Canes are powered by a talented set of guards. This includes Pack, who played two seasons with the Kansas State Wildcats in the Big 12 and is all too familiar with the Longhorns. He's 1-2 in three career games against Texas but is averaging 19.7 points per game in those contests.
Pack, who is averaging 13.8 points this season, is joined by guards Isaiah Wong and Jordan Miller, who are the first- and second-leading scorers for the Hurricanes, respectively.
Wong leads the team in points (16.3), assists (3.3) and steals (1.3). He finished with 20 points, six rebounds and three assists in the win against Houston. Miller averages 15.1 points and 6.2 points per contest, as he turned in a strong effort vs. the Cougs as well with 13 points, six rebounds and four assists.
"That's a great team over there," Terry said. "Their guard play is really good. They share the basketball really well in terms of passing the basketball. ... We know we have our hands full with a really tough Miami ball club."
Game Information: NCAA Tournament Elite Eight - No. 2 Texas Longhorns vs. No. 5 Miami Hurricanes
Date/Time: Sunday, March 26 at 4:05 p.m CT
Where: T-Mobile Center (Kansas City, Missouri)
Betting Via SI Sportsbook: Texas -4
Moneyline: Texas -188, Miami +150
Over/Under: 149
TV/Streaming: CBS
Radio: Longhorn IMG Radio Network/104.9 The Horn (Austin Flagship)
You can follow Zach Dimmitt on Twitter at @ZachDimmitt7
Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Longhorns? Click Here to Subscribe to the Longhorns Country Newsletter
Want even more Texas Longhorns? Check out the SI.com team page here
Follow Longhorns Country on Twitter and Facebook.
Make sure to subscribe to the Longhorns Country Podcast today! Click here To Listen.
