Miami at Pittsburgh Prediction - Basketball Picks 1/28/23

Pittsburgh Panthers (14-7) vs Miami Hurricanes (16-4)

Game Info: Saturday, January 28, 2023 at 4:00 pm (Petersen Events Center)

Betting Odds: Pittsburgh Panthers +1 -- Over/Under: 147.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds

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The Miami Hurricanes will travel and take on the Pittsburgh Panthers in ACC play from the Petersen Events Center on ESPNU. Miami leads the all-time series, 10-5, after winning the last two meetings. 

Miami moved to 16-4 after beating Florida State in Tallahassee. The Hurricanes did not tread lightly on their in-state rivals, and after hanging 54 first half points on the Seminoles, they hung a 23-point loss on them. Miami scores 78.2 points per game, while allowing 69.5 ppg, and shooting 47.8% from the field.

Miami has traded their last six games, and they’ll look to restore some consistency in front of a tough Pittsburgh crowd this weekend. The Canes currently sit at 7-3 in ACC play, so it feels like a return to the Dance is likely. Isaiah Wong leads the charge for a third season in a row for Jim Larranaga’s squad. The junior guard scored 25 points against N.C. State, and he’s leading the Canes in scoring (16.3) and assists (3.7), while grabbing 4.6 rpg. Former GMU guard Jordan Miller has complimented him well, and he’s averaging 14.9 ppg and 5.7 rpg through 20 games. Norchad Omier has been a menace on the glass, and after posting four double-doubles in the last five games, he’s leading the team in rebounding (10.5), while scoring 13.7 ppg. Former KState guard Nijel Pack has hit four or more treys in three straight games, and he’s scoring 12.3 ppg. 

Pittsburgh improved to 14-7 after beating Wake Forest at home. The Panthers pounced on the Demon Deacons early, and held off a fierce second half rally to walk away with the two-point victory. Pitt is scoring 74.4 points per game, while allowing 68.2 ppg, and shooting 44.9% from the floor.

Pittsburgh has been pretty solid this season, and with ACC wins over UNC and UVA already, they should not be overlooked heading into this weekend. Blake Hinson leads the way for Pitt, and after scoring 24 points in the win over Wake, he’s averaging team-highs in scoring (16.2) and rebounding (6.4). Senior guard Jamarius Burton scored a season-high 28 points in the one-point loss to Clemson, and he’s averaging a nice line of 15.9 ppg, 4.5 rpg, and a team-leading 4.7 apg. Transfer guards Greg Elliott (Marquette) and Nelly Cummings (Colgate) each average double figures, and the former hit a season-high six threes against Wake last time out.

Miami is 12-8 against the spread this season, with a 8-11-1 over/under record. Pitt is 14-6-1 ATS this year, with a 13-8 o/u record.

If this Miami team had Cam McGusty, they’d be my ACC favorites. As a Duke fan, the Canes have been a thorn in my side for years, but after last year’s tournament run, I had to admire the program. Isaiah Wong and company will have the tough task of taking down the Panthers in front of a rowdy Zoo crowd on a Saturday afternoon, so this will be no walk in the park. This will be a battle, and possibly one of the best games on a stacked weekend slate. Toying with the total may be playing with fire, but there’s ample firepower on both sides for this to turn out to be a 80-70 type of ball game. Pitt and Miami represent two of the stronger teams in the conference, and I like a high scoring battle here, so let’s take the over for this ACC contest.

The pick in this article is the opinion of the writer, not a PickDawgz site consensus.

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