Texas vs. Miami (FL) Picks, Predictions, Odds

The Miami (FL) Hurricanes ensured that this NCAA Tournament would be unlike any other late Friday night. Miami routed the Houston Cougars to make the Elite Eight, and in the process, the last No. 1 seed was eliminated.

There had only been two NCAA Tournaments where no No. 1 seeds reached the Final Four prior to this year, but this was the first time that all four No. 1 seeds failed to even make the Elite Eight.

However, despite its win over Houston, Miami is the biggest underdog per the CBB betting odds in the Elite Eight as the Texas Longhorns are four-point favorites.

The final Elite Eight game will feature the Texas Longhorns taking on the Miami (FL) Hurricanes. This is the Midwest Region Final, and it will be played on Sunday, March 26, 2023, at 5:05 p.m. ET on CBS from the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri.

Texas Longhorns vs. Miami (FL) Hurricanes Betting Preview

Interim head coach Rodney Terry is looking to follow in the footsteps of Steve Fisher. In 1989, Fisher led Michigan to a national championship as an interim head coach, and Terry is hoping to do the same thing after replacing Chris Beard in January.

The Texas Longhorns currently have the second-lowest odds to win the title behind only the Connecticut Huskies, but they might not have top forward Dylan Disu available for this game.

Disu only played two minutes against Xavier before coming off with a bone bruise, and his status is in doubt for Sunday evening since he was seen in a walking boot after the game. Still, the Longhorns are my pick to reach the Final Four as Miami is the only team left outside of Ken Pomeroy's Top 25.

Best Bet: Texas -3.5
Score Prediction: Texas 74, Miami (FL) 68

Texas Longhorns vs. Miami (FL) Hurricanes Betting Odds

Texas Longhorns vs. Miami (FL) Hurricanes Betting Resources

Date: Sunday, Mar. 26, 2023
TV-Time: CBS, 5:05 p.m. ET
Venue: T-Mobile Center
Location: Kansas City, MO
Matchup
Expert Picks

Texas Longhorns vs. Miami (FL) Hurricanes Betting Stats

Texas Longhorns
SU: 29-8
ATS: 19-17-1
O/U: 17-18-2
PPG: 78.8
OPPG: 68.7

Miami (FL) Hurricanes
SU: 28-7
ATS: 21-14
O/U: 16-18-1
PPG: 79.6
OPPG: 71.7

Straight Up (SU), Against the Spread (ATS), Over-Under (O/U)
Points Per Game (PPG), Opponents Points Per Game (OPPG)

Updated on 04/24/2024

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Texas Longhorns Betting Analysis

Texas ranks just inside the top 50 in adjusted offensive efficiency per Pomeroy. The Longhorns are an average team when it comes to shooting the three, but they are making 53.9% of their two-point field goals. Disu is the most efficient interior scoring threat, making 66.5% of his twos, but he isn't a high volume shooter with 8.8 PPG. However, every player on the Longhorns is making at least 48% of their two-point field goals with the exception of Tyrese Hunter.

Marcus Carr is the primary creator in this offense. Carr is the leading scorer for the Longhorns with 15.8 PPG, and he also leads Texas with 4.1 APG and 1.7 SPG. Texas doesn't shoot the three very well, but when the Longhorns need a triple, he is one of the three players they turn to for a deep bucket.

Carr is making 36.7% of his threes on over 200 attempts, Sir'Jabari Rice is making 36.6% of his threes on over 160 attempts, and reserve Brock Cunningham can occasionally knock one down from distance.

The Longhorns are very strong on defense. They manhandled Xavier in the low post on Friday night, and they force a lot of turnovers too. The absence of Disu could be an issue though as he is Texas' best shotblocker. Texas held Xavier to just 25 first half points before taking its foot off the gas pedal a little bit in the second half, and it will be tough for Miami to score on this team.

Miami (FL) Hurricanes Betting Analysis

The Miami Hurricanes have one of the most efficient offenses in the country. Miami ranks sixth in adjusted offensive efficiency by Pomeroy's numbers, and the Hurricanes lit up two good defenses in Indiana and Houston. Isaiah Wong is one of the keys to this offense, and he leads the Canes with 16.3 PPG and 3.3 APG. Norchad Omier is averaging a double-double with 13.3 PPG and 10.1 RPG, as the two major interior presences on this team are Omier and 6'7 guard Jordan Miller.

Miami has four players that are making at least 38.4% of their threes. Nijel Pack is the most efficient perimeter shooter at 40.5%, while Wong isn't far behind at 38.8%. Wooga Poplar and Bensley Joseph are making 38.4% of their triples to round out the list of the top shooters. Pack was lights out against Houston on Friday night, hitting 7 of 10 three-point attempts to finish with a game-high 26 points in a win for the Hurricanes.

Defense has been a major issue for the Hurricanes this season. It's the reason why they have bad losses to Georgia Tech and Florida State on their resume, and it's why they are still a comparative longshot to win the national championship per the college basketball futures odds. Miami ranks outside the top 100 in defense per Pomeroy, as the Hurricanes have had issues with perimeter defense and interior defense.