Miami vs. Notre Dame Pick
Will Notre Dame be able to handle being a slight favorite tonight when the Fighting Irish host Miami at 7PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at YouWager, Notre Dame is favored in this game, as the Fighting Irish are getting odds of -4.5 points against Miami. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 140.5 points. Tonight’s game takes place from Purcell Pavilion in South Bend, Indiana and will air live on ESPN.
Miami has dropped three straight games coming into tonight, including a 62-55 loss at home to Syracuse. The Hurricanes are 18-8 overall, 7-7 in the ACC and 9-12 against the spread. Miami is putting up 73.8 points per game this season while allowing 66.1 per contest. Dewan Huell is leading the team with 11.7 points and 6.7 rebounds per game while Lonnie Walker IV is adding 11.1 points per contest.
Notre Dame has won three of its last four, including an 84-67 win at Boston College. The Fighting Irish are now 16-11 overall, 6-8 in the ACC and 10-13 against the spread. ND is averaging 76.2 points per game on offense while allowing 69.1 per game on defense. Matt Farrell is leading ND with 17.1 points and 5.5 assists per game while TJ Gibbs is adding 16 points per contest.
Miami has covered in four of the last six meetings in this series, but I think the Hurricanes will continue to struggle tonight. Their offense isn’t putting up enough points to win games right now. Notre Dame has found a spark despite their injuries. With Bonzie Colson hopeful to return in the upcoming weeks, the Irish are still hoping to make a run at a NCAA Tournament spot. They can’t afford a slip up at home tonight. I think the Irish continue to ride the wave of momentum that have and cover against the Canes. The public betting agrees and is backing ND tonight.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL PREDICTIONS: NOTRE DAME -4.5