Miami vs Virginia 2/19/22 College Basketball Picks, Predictions, Odds

The Virginia Cavaliers will travel to the Watsco Center to take on the Miami Hurricanes this Saturday night in College Basketball action.

The Virginia Cavaliers had their 4-game winning streak snapped and dropped to 16-10 on the season after being defeated by the Virginia Tech Hokies, 62-53, this past Monday. Virginia led by a 29-25 margin at halftime, however, the Cavaliers struggled on both ends of the court in the 2^nd half against Virginia Tech and could not fight back after the Hokies took a 58-50 lead with 1:21 left in regulation. Virginia shot 40.0% from the field & 0.0% from beyond the arc while allowing Virginia Tech to shoot 43.5% from the field & 25.0% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Cavaliers was Jayden Gardner who had a double-double with 17 points, 14 rebounds, 2 assists, & 1 steal.

On the season, Virginia is averaging 63.0 ppg on 45.3% shooting from the field. The Cavaliers are averaging 5.1 three-pointers per game on 32.0% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Virginia has been led by Jayden Gardner (15.0 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 1.5 apg), Armaan Franklin (11.8 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 1.7 apg, 1.3 spg), Kihei Clark (9.7 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 4.0 apg), & Reece Beekman (7.8 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 4.9 apg, 2.1 spg).

Defensively, Virginia is holding their opponents to an average of 59.7 ppg on 42.6% shooting form the field. The Cavaliers have a rebound margin of 0.7 and a turnover margin of 1.5.

The Miami Hurricanes won their 3^rd straight game and improved to 19-7 on the season after defeating the Louisville Cardinals, 70-63, this past Wednesday. Miami led by a 35-25 margin at halftime and was able to pull away for the victory late after taking a 64-54 lead with 3:31 left in regulation. Miami shot 45.9% from the field & 28.0% from beyond the arc while allowing Louisville to shoot 42.9% from the field & 15.4% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Hurricanes was Kameron McGusty who had 14 points, 3 rebounds, 6 assists, & 1 steal.

On the season, Miami is averaging 74.6 ppg on 47.1% shooting from the field. The Hurricanes are averaging 7.4 three-pointers per game on 35.0% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Miami has been led by Kameron McGusty (17.6 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 2.3 apg, 1.6 spg), Isaiah Wong (15.8 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 2.0 apg), Charlie Moore (12.4 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 4.0 apg, 2.2 spg), & Jordan Miller (8.8 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 1.2 apg, 1.7 spg).

Defensively, Miami is allowing their opponents to average 70.9 ppg on 46.1% shooting from the field. The Hurricanes have a rebound margin of -4.1 and a turnover margin of 4.1.

The Cavaliers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games, however, are just 2-4 ATS in their last 6 games vs. Miami. The Hurricanes are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games & 14-4 ATS in their last 18 games vs. ACC opponents.

Virginia is once again led by their defense which ranks 9^th in scoring defense, however, this is still a team that ranks just 331^st in scoring offense and has a losing record on the road. Miami has struggled at times defensively this season, however, the offense has been outstanding and comes into this matchup ranked 91^st in scoring offense & 40^th in FG%. Miami struggled on the road against Virginia earlier this season, losing by a 71-58 margin, however, Virginia’s defense hasn’t nearly the same type of success on the road, allowing opponents to average 67.4 ppg in their last 5 road games, and as Miami is 10-3 at home this season, I think the Hurricanes do enough to cover this small home spread. Good Luck!