The No. 25 Pitt Panthers (21-9, 14-5 ACC) face the No. 15 Miami Hurricanes (23-6, 14-5) Saturday in Coral Gables. Tip from Watsco Center is at 6 p.m. ET (ACC Network). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Pitt vs. Miami odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
Rankings courtesy of the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll.
The winner of this meeting will earn at least of a share of the ACC title. The Panthers beat the Hurricanes 71-68 as 1.5-point underdogs on Jan. 28.
Had Miami not blown a 27-point lead in an 85-84 loss to miserable Florida State last Saturday, the Hurricanes would be a game ahead of both Pitt and Virginia in the conference standings.
Miami is 223rd nationally with 71.6 points allowed per game, it will need to count on its 25th-ranked offense (79.7 points) to provide a victory Saturday.
Pitt allows 69.0 points per game (145th) and should have a good chance to pull off the sweep and win the ACC for the first time if it can limit Miami.
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Pitt at Miami odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:45 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Pitt +265 (bet $100 to win $265) | Miami -340 (bet $340 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Pitt +7.5 (-110) | Miami -7.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 154.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Pitt at Miami picks and predictions
Prediction
Miami 82, Pitt 77
Moneyline
PASS.
This is going to be a physical battle and should come down to the waning moments as both teams look for a conference title.
While Pitt (+265) is intriguing, I cannot take the road team in this game. Especially with Miami coming off an embarrassing loss to Florida State last Saturday.
Miami (-310) has been good at home all season but you cannot risk more than 3 times your potential return on a straight wager. This is also a game I would also stay away from in a parlay as both teams could easily win and ruin your day.
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Against the spread
BET PITT +7.5 (-110).
After defeating Miami by 3 points at home on Jan. 28, the swing in this game is undeserved.
Miami has only lost 1 home game this season, but Pitt has been a solid team on the road with a 7-4 record.
Pitt will need to be sharp to stay with the Hurricanes. Miami averages 79.7 points a game while Pitt averages just 71.6, but Miami’s porous defense and the Panthers’ desire to capture a conference title will result in this one remaining close.
Over/Under
LEAN OVER 154.5 (-110)
This number is extremely high, but with this game meaning so much to both sides, a classic could be in store.
Pitt has gone Over in its past 4 games while Miami is 6-1 to the Over in its past 7 home games.
With both offenses looking to make a statement in the season finale, look for a lot of possessions and a lot of trips to the foul line in the final minutes of a close game.
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