PREMIUM
GAME OF THE WEEK (Rogers' 10* NCAAB!) >> SWEPT Wednesday (3-0!)
(NCAAB) Notre Dame vs. Miami,
Point Spread: -2.50 | -106.00 Miami (Home)
Result: Loss
Point Spread: -2.50 | -106.00 Miami (Home)
Result: Loss
The set-up: Notre Dame attempts to start 4-0 in conference play for the first time in program history when the No. 20 Fighting Irish (14-2, 3-0 in ACC play) visit 11-3, 1-1 in ACC play) Miami on Thursday night. Notre Dame, which is coming off a home victory against Clemson, is 3-0 for the second time as a member of the ACC but never started with four straight league wins in the ACC or during their time in the Big East.
Notre Dame: The Irish won 24 games last year, before losing in the Elite 8 and has a starting-five that includes two seniors and three juniors. PG Jackson (15.8 & 4.7 APG) and center Auguste (14.0 & 10.7) are missed from last year's team but four of five starters this year average 14 PPG or more. SF Colson leads in scoring (16.4) and rebounding (10.8) and is joined up front by the 6-8 Beachem (14.6 & 3.9) and the 6-10 Geben (4.3 & 5.1). SG Vasturia (15.0) and PG Farrell (14.0 & 5.4 APG) make up a terrific backcourt. The Irish are one of the nation's most efficient offensive teams, ranking No. 1 in the nation in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.89) and free-throw shooting (84 percent) and No. 17 in three-point field-goal percentage (40.2) percent while averaging 82.3 PPG.
Miami: The Hurricanes are back on the court for the first time in eight days and probably can't wait to get at it. The team's last contest was a struggle on both ends of the floor in a 70-55 loss at Syracuse that ended a seven-game winning streak. The Hurricanes shot 38.9 percent from the floor and made 2-of-10 foul shots while the Orange hit a sizzling 56.8 percent against a Miami team that ranks No. 14 in Division I in FG percentage defense (38.4). Led by guards McClellan (16.3) and Rodriguez (12.6 & 4.2 APG), Miami won 27 games last year, reaching the Sweet 16. That duo is gone but a trio of guards are scoring in double digits this season, Newton (15.2), Reed (14.) and Brown (10.9), who also averages 7.3 RPG, The team's best frontcourt player is the 6-8 Murphy (7.2 & 7.6). Miami ranks 6th in points allowed at 59.7 PPG.
The pick: Notre Dame comes in red-hot but Miami is 8-0 SU at home this season, allowing just 57.8 PPG in lined contests. The Hurricanes also take 21-game home winning streak into a this contest against Notre Dane, a team they beat by nine and 18 points last season. Revenge for Notre Dame.? I say no way and will make Miami a 10* play.
Notre Dame: The Irish won 24 games last year, before losing in the Elite 8 and has a starting-five that includes two seniors and three juniors. PG Jackson (15.8 & 4.7 APG) and center Auguste (14.0 & 10.7) are missed from last year's team but four of five starters this year average 14 PPG or more. SF Colson leads in scoring (16.4) and rebounding (10.8) and is joined up front by the 6-8 Beachem (14.6 & 3.9) and the 6-10 Geben (4.3 & 5.1). SG Vasturia (15.0) and PG Farrell (14.0 & 5.4 APG) make up a terrific backcourt. The Irish are one of the nation's most efficient offensive teams, ranking No. 1 in the nation in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.89) and free-throw shooting (84 percent) and No. 17 in three-point field-goal percentage (40.2) percent while averaging 82.3 PPG.
Miami: The Hurricanes are back on the court for the first time in eight days and probably can't wait to get at it. The team's last contest was a struggle on both ends of the floor in a 70-55 loss at Syracuse that ended a seven-game winning streak. The Hurricanes shot 38.9 percent from the floor and made 2-of-10 foul shots while the Orange hit a sizzling 56.8 percent against a Miami team that ranks No. 14 in Division I in FG percentage defense (38.4). Led by guards McClellan (16.3) and Rodriguez (12.6 & 4.2 APG), Miami won 27 games last year, reaching the Sweet 16. That duo is gone but a trio of guards are scoring in double digits this season, Newton (15.2), Reed (14.) and Brown (10.9), who also averages 7.3 RPG, The team's best frontcourt player is the 6-8 Murphy (7.2 & 7.6). Miami ranks 6th in points allowed at 59.7 PPG.
The pick: Notre Dame comes in red-hot but Miami is 8-0 SU at home this season, allowing just 57.8 PPG in lined contests. The Hurricanes also take 21-game home winning streak into a this contest against Notre Dane, a team they beat by nine and 18 points last season. Revenge for Notre Dame.? I say no way and will make Miami a 10* play.
