Miami Hurricanes vs. Virginia Tech Hokies: Prediction, Preview, Picks & Odds - 2/21/2023

Time: 7 p.m. ET

Venue: Cassell Coliseum, Blacksburg, VA

Where to watch: ESPNU

DraftKings: Virginia Tech -2

FanDuel: Virginia Tech -1.5

BetMGM: Virginia Tech -2.5

Caesars: Virginia Tech -2

No. 13 Miami (FL): 22-5 (13-4 ACC)

Virginia Tech: 16-11 (6-10 ACC)

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The Miami Hurricanes are still very much in the process of winning the regular season ACC title and this six-game winning streak they’re on is an indication that the process is well on the way. And now the Hurricanes, with three games left before things get absolutely hysterical in the ACC Tournament, will play their final road game of the season Tuesday when they face the Virginia Tech Hokies in Blacksburg.

Miami has been one of the consistent players all year long, but the biggest question for them was consistency. Trying to find the right formula to put together a run to where they could be a sneaky good tournament team. That appears to be the case right now with wins over Clemson, Duke and Wake Forest over the last few weeks. The latter came on Saturday when they put up 96 points in the 9-point win over the Demon Deacons at home.

Leading scorer Isaiah Wong led the way with 27 points, and Nijel Pack had 24 points to help pace the No. 15 Hurricanes for another electric win. Whether or not they can actually play good enough defense to win some games in March, but clearly they’re going to score a ton. And sometimes that’s all you need to do.

“Every game is one game,” Hurricanes coach Jim Larrañaga said. “You never know what’s going to happen on the next game. What I’m most proud of is these guys continue to compete home and away.”

That’s certainly one way to look at it. Miami is now a half-game back of the Virginia Cavaliers for first place, and any hope of catching them or leapfrogging them will come down to winning more games than them. They don’t face each other this year and might not do so until the final of the tournament. Buckle up for what should be a thrilling finish.

“Just playing with confidence, obviously taking what the defense is giving me,” Pack said. “My teammates keep finding me and obviously my coaches running things for me. I am motivated and playing hard on the court.”

One thing you can never discount is what in the world is going on in Blacksburg. Virginia Tech always finds a way to shock the system this time of year, and you can never discount the thought of an upset. Case in point, they knocked off one of the hottest teams in the conference in Pittsburgh at home on Saturday. Grant Basile had 22 points, his fourth straight game of 20 points, and Mylyjael Poteat had 15 points for Virginia Tech, who shot 55.6 percent from the floor to get the win.

It wasn’t too long ago that the Hokies knocked off the Cavaliers in a shocker at home. Sure, they haven’t found consistency after that, but they’ve shown to play up to their competition. That’s going to be big heading into this game, especially knowing they can play spoiler at just 6-10 in conference play.

I think Miami finds a way to win, but this is going to be close. Virginia Tech’s defense will need to be at its best, but the offense is just too good during this winning streak and you want to root for more chaos at the top. Miami 88, Virginia Tech 84

Miami is 29-10 ATS as an underdog the last 3 seasons.

Miami is 40-21 ATS against conference opponents the last 3 seasons.

Miami is 22-9 ATS on the road the last 3 seasons.

Virginia Tech is 26-15 ATS at home the last 3 seasons.

PG: Nijel Pack

SG: Isaiah Wong

SF: Wooga Poplar

PF: Jordan Miller

C: Norchad Omier

PG: Sean Pedulla

SG: Hunter Cattoor

SF: M.J. Collins

PF: Justyn Mutts

C: Grant Basile