:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/52914125/usa_today_9819611.0.jpg)
The Hurricanes have dropped four of their last five games but now head home for a key stretch in their season, starting tonight against Boston College.
After last games second half debacle against Duke, expect coach L to have the players to be extra motivated and come out hot.
The Watsco Center will be a pleasant site for Miami, as they’ve won 21 of their last 22 in front of their home crowd. And with matchups against North Carolina and Florida State looming in in the next eight days, the ‘Canes need a win.
Boston College enters the game tonight on a skid of their own as they’ve dropped three in a row and five of their last six. The Eagles have yet to record a win on the road this season, having lost all of their road affairs by double-digits.
In many ways BC is just what the doctor ordered for Miami’s recent struggles. Expect the Hurricanes defense to clamp down and make it a long night for this Eagle offense. Miami’s defense is allowing just 61.9 points per game (11th in the country) and a shooting percentage of 39.5 (25th in the country).
Offensively look for Davon Reed to continue to light it up from beyond the arc. He’s averaging 3.2 threes per game in ACC play and has scored 18 or more in five out of six ACC games. If he can get some help on offense from Bruce Brown, who has been hot of late shooting over 50% from the field in his last three games, and Ja’Quan or Anthony Lawrence Jr., then the Canes could run away with this one.
But there’s never a good reason to overlook a trap game like this.
Miami is 12th in the ACC (2-4), just half a game ahead of BC (2-5), and the ‘Canes better not be thinking of the important games that lie ahead, or else they could find themselves getting jumped by BC in the conference standings.
BC is coming off a 90-82 home loss to North Carolina. A game in which the Eagles scored 49 in the second half and freshman point guard Ky Bowman put up 33 points (7-9 from deep). So even though this offense has struggled lately they are coming off a hot performance against one of the nations best teams.
Prediction:
Vegas has the ‘Canes favored tonight by 15.5 points. On a night in which Coach L will be honored before the game for his 600th career win, I think he’ll have the boys ready to go and the Canes will take this one handily 81-64.