NCAA Tournament: Texas vs Miami Lines, Prediction, & Start Time

In a battle for the Midwest title and a spot in the Final Four, Texas and Miami will face off in what promises to be a competitive matchup between two dominant teams. Both teams have covered the spread in all three of their tournament games, setting the stage for an exciting game on Sunday. 

Texas enters the game as winners of their last seven contests, including victories over Colgate, Penn State, and Xavier in the tournament. They have been playing exceptional basketball, outscoring their opponents by an average of over 12 points. The Longhorns have improved their offensive pace and are currently third in the country in tempo. Defensively, they have been holding their opponents to an average of just 66 points per game.

Texas boasts a well-rounded roster, with multiple players stepping up in Friday’s win over Xavier. Four players scored at least 16 points, and the team shot an impressive 52.5% from the field. In their biggest test of the tournament, the Longhorns gave their fans no doubt. They controlled the game from the tip, and led by double digits the entire second half. However, the Longhorns may face a tougher challenge if star forward Dylan Disu is unable to play due to a bone bruise in his left foot. Disu, the Big 12 Tournament Most Outstanding Player, had back-to-back double-doubles in the first two tournament games before going down on Friday night. While Disu’s status remains up in the air, the Longhorns are looking to reach their first Final Four in two decades.

Miami has always been a dangerous contender, despite many analysts predicting them to lose their first-round matchup against Drake. The Hurricanes have continued to impress, defeating Indiana by 16 and top-seeded Houston by 14. While there were concerns about their defense, Miami put those to rest, holding their opponents to just 66.7 points per game thus far. Their offense has been firing on all cylinders, scoring 85 and 89 points in their last two games. 

All of Miami’s starters scored in double digits in Friday night’s game, with Nijel Pack leading the way with 26 points. The Hurricanes will need similar performances to overcome Texas’s tough defense and slow them down offensively. March Madness is a platform for stars, and whether Dylan Disu is in the lineup or not, Miami has one of the biggest stars of the tournament in ACC Player of the Year, Isaiah Wong. In a game that may come down to a late-game run or tough shot-making, having the best player on the court can make all the difference. Wong could be the key to whether the Hurricanes advance to the Final Four or head home disappointed.

Both teams are playing at a high level on both sides of the floor, which should lead to a close finish. Although Miami has impressed, Texas has looked like one of the best teams in the country. With or without Dylan Disu, we believe that the Longhorns will advance to the Final Four, but the Hurricanes will cover the +4 point spread.