Miami (Ohio) proved it can compete with high-major teams. Now the challenge for the RedHawks is winning again.
Miami, which is 32-1 overall with its lone loss being in the MAC Tournament, beat SMU 89-79 in a First Four matchup. Now the No. 11-seeded RedHawks will take on Tennessee, a six seed, in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
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The Volunteers are 22-11 overall but have lost four of their last six games. They fell to Vanderbilt 75-68 in the SEC Tournament quarterfinals.
Will Tennessee manage to get back on track against a team with momentum like Miami (Ohio)?
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Tennessee vs. Miami (Ohio) Odds
Miami (Ohio) is a +11.5 college basketball betting odds underdog against Tennessee, with the Over/Under being 149.5 points as of this writing.
The moneyline for Tennessee is -600, while it’s +425 for Miami (Ohio).
Tennessee vs. Miami (Ohio) On TV
The matchup between Tennessee and Miami (Ohio) will be televised on TBS. The game will tip off at 4:25 p.m. ET on Friday, March 20.
The contest is taking place at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Tennessee vs. Miami (Ohio) Prediction
I predict Miami (Ohio) will win and therefore cover the 11.5-point spread. I also project the game will go Under 149.5 total points.
Pulling off another upset like this won’t be easy. But the RedHawks have proven they can win plenty of games in a row.
Miami is second in the country with 90.7 points per game and is first with a 61.2% effective field goal percentage. MAC Player of the Year Peter Suder leads the RedHawks with 14.4 PPG and averages 4.7 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 54.5% from the field and 41% from 3-point range.
Brant Byers has added 14.4 points and 4.1 rebounds per contest. Evan Ipsaro averages 13.9 PPG, and Eian Elmer leads the RedHawks with 5.9 rebounds per game while scoring 12.9 PPG.
Miami still has so much to prove. I think the RedHawks will play with an unparalleled amount of urgency and will advance to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
