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The No. 4 seed UConn Huskies will battle the No. 5 seed Miami Hurricanes in the second NCAA tournament semifinal. The game tips at 8:49 p.m. ET and can be seen on CBS. It will also stream on March Madness Live.
It is the fifth Final Four appearance in program history for UConn. UConn has four national championship banners in men’s basketball. The Huskies also have 11 national championships in women’s basketball.
Miami is in its first Final Four in program history. It has only won Division I national titles in football, men’s baseball and women’s golf.
It is the first Final Four for UConn coach Dan Hurley, who is in his fifth season at the school. Miami coach Jim Larrañaga led George Mason's Cinderella run to the 2006 Final Four. He also led the Hurricanes to the Elite Eight last season.
UConn vs. Miami: Preview
UConn (29-8) has been dominating in the NCAA Tournament. The Huskies have won all four games by a comfortable margin.
They were down at halftime against No. 13 Iona before storming the second half to win by 24 (87-63). The Huskies then stomped No. 5 seed Saint Mary’s by 15 (70-55) with another big second half. UConn cruised in the Sweet 16 by 23 against No. 8 seed Arkansas 88-65 and finished off No. 3 seed Gonzaga by 28 (82-54).
The Huskies are plus-90 in scoring differential in the tournament. No one has come close to competing in the second half against them.
Their offense has been dominant. They average 78.8 points per game, which is top 40 in the nation. They are the highest rated team in KenPom, who also ranks them third in adjusted offense.
The scoring is not dominated by one player. The team averages 17.6 assists per game. Adama Sanogo led the way in the first two rounds, scoring 28 and 24 points respectively. Sophomore Jordan Hawkins has been the driving force in the second two games, scoring 20-plus in both.
Sanogo could have a tough matchup against the size and strength of Miami’s big man Norchad Omier.
Miami (29-7) has won in many different ways thus far. The Hurricanes escaped in a close one in the first round against No. 12 seed Drake 63-56. They then dominated the rebound margin and shot well to beat No. 4 seed Indiana 85-69.
In the Sweet 16, Miami’s Nigel Pack was on fire with seven 3-pointers to manage an upset over No. 1 seed Houston 89-75. In the Elite Eight, the Hurricanes struggled from 3-point range but used a second-half rally to come back from 13 points down and beat No. 2 seed Texas 88-81.
Guards Jordan Miller and Isaiah Wong are solid. They have the talent to attack a defense from the perimeter and are also strong finishers at the rim. Omier is a huge presence inside and is tenacious on the glass.
Miami can score as well and is fifth in adjusted offense, scoring 85-plus in three of their tournament games and averaging 79.6 ppg this season. That is 27th best in the nation. so expect a lot of points in this one.
UConn vs. Miami: Odds
Spread: UConn (-5.5)
Total (O/U): 149.5
Moneyline: UConn (-250) vs Miami (+205)
UConn vs. Miami: Prediction
This one could come down to who makes more 3-pointers and who wins on the glass, cleaning up the misses from deep.
Miami has shown it can compete with any team and any style. UConn has not been tested in a close finish. If this one is a nail-biter, Miami has the experience and confidence to finish strong in clutch situations. It could spring an upset if they keep up their hot shooting.
Miami 88, UConn 87
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