I’m shocked at this number, but I LOVE it!
Miami (27-7 straight up, 20-14 against the spread) advanced to the Sweet 16 for the fourth time during Jim Larranaga’s 12-year tenure by decimating Indiana with an 18-4 run that gave it a commanding 65-53 lead at the under-eight television timeout. The Hurricanes, who are going to the Sweet 16 in back-to-back seasons for the first time in program history, went on to bury the Hoosiers 85-69 count as 1.5-point underdogs.
Isaiah Wong, the ACC’s Player of the Year, led the way with 27 points and eight rebounds, draining 9-of-17 field-goal attempts and 4-of-6 launches from 3-point range. Jordan Miller added 19 points, five boards, two blocked shots and one assist without committing a turnover.
Norchad Omier dominated the glass with 17 rebounds in only 26 minutes of playing time. He had eight offensive boards, many of which kept possessions alive that led to points. Omier, a transfer from Arkansas St., added seven points and a pair of steals. Nijel Pack was also in double figures with 12 points.
This UM squad has been undervalued by the oddsmakers all year, and we’ve been taking advantage of it and look forward to doing so once again Friday as a seven-point underdog vs. top-seeded Houston.
The Hurricanes have thrived as underdogs, compiling a 7-1 ATS record with five outright wins. The lone non-cover as an underdog came in the ACC Tournament semifinals on March 10.
On that night in Greensboro, N.C., UM’s leading rebounder and double-double machine, Omier, injured his ankle in the first two minutes of the game and did not return. Duke took advantage by beating the ‘Canes 33-21 on the boards in an 85-78 win.
Otherwise, UM has been perfect in the underdog role. The two other underdog roles in which the ‘Canes lost outright? They lost 83-81 in overtime at NC St. as three-point ‘dogs and dropped a 68-66 decision at Duke as six-point ‘dogs.
Wong was limited to seven points and 25 minutes of playing time in the loss in Durham due to a sinus infection. At his post-game presser, Larranaga lamented that he probably shouldn’t have played Wong.
Miami has won 11 of its last 13 games. One of the losses came with Omier injured vs. Duke, and the other was when Pack was ‘out’ for a home game vs. FSU. Miami had a 25-point lead at one point, only to allow the Seminoles to rally and win on a buzzer beater.
Pack, who averaged 13.4 points per game during the regular season and is scoring at a 13.3 PPG clip in four postseason games, missed only that one game vs. FSU with an ankle injury.
Likewise, Omier only missed one game. Wooga Poplar, an athletic 6-foot-5 wing who averages 8.2 PPG (and shoots at a 47.9 percent clip from the field, a 41.6 percent rate from downtown and makes 88.9 percent of his free throws), did take a hard fall in the second half of Sunday’s win over IU.
When he tried to return to the game, Poplar had to come out right away. But I’m thinking it’s just a bruise and with UM’s next game not until Friday, I’m optimistic that he’ll be ready to go against the Cougars. Otherwise, everybody is healthy for the ‘Canes, and that’s bad news for Kelvin Sampson’s bunch.
Houston only led 16th-seeded Northern Kentucky by three at halftime in its first-round win. The Cougars were only ahead by five at the under-four TV timeout, and they never threatened to cover the number as 19.5-point favorites in the 63-52 victory over the Norse.
UH was down 41-31 at halftime of its Round-of-32 matchup vs. Auburn. The Cougars dominated the final 20 minutes, though, outscoring the Tigers 50-23 to pull away for an 81-64 win as 5.5-point favorites.
One more thing on Miami: Let’s not ignore how impressive it was to get past Drake (27-8 SU, 16-17-1 ATS) 63-56 in the opening round on Friday.
The Bulldogs had won 16 of their previous 18 games, going 8-1 ATS in their last nine contests. One of those losses came at Bradley and the other was in overtime. The Braves were on a 12-game winning streak and 7-2-1 ATS surge when Drake avenged that defeat with a 77-51 win in the finals of the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament.
In fact, Drake won all three of its MVC Tournament games by margins of at least 12 points. The Bulldogs also had a 55-47 lead on Miami with less than five minutes remaining.
However, the ‘Canes forced three turnovers with their full-court press and ended the game on a 16-1 run. Wong was held to a season-low five points on 1-of-10 shooting from the field. Pack and Polar stepped up, though, scoring 21 and 15 points, respectively, while Omier added 12 points and 14 rebounds.
The Pick: Miami +7 vs. Houston.