What: Virginia Cavaliers (12-10, 3-5 ACC) vs. Miami Hurricanes (13-9, 2-6 ACC)
Time: 2:00 p.m.
Date: Saturday, February 5, 2011
Place: BankUnited Center
TV: None
Radio: Virginia Sports Radio Network
Spread: Vegas: Virginia +9; Pomeroy: Virginia lose by 9
Last Meeting: February 23, 2010; Virginia 62, Miami 74
Last Time Out: Miami 59, Georgia Tech 57
Series: Miami 7-4
At a quick glance, one would think to himself, "Boy, 3-5 Virginia vs. 2-6 Miami? This has to be good for us." Don't let yourself fall for that. I won't mention the Cavadonkey-worthy performance that came with the then 0-5 Wake Forest matchup, but it's worth noting that Miami's last six games have been decided by five points or less, including two-point losses to NC State and Florida State.
Virginia is coming off a feel-okay win against Clemson. The Cavaliers had led by as many as 16 at the half, but let Clemson come back to tie the game with under a minute to go. Neither team managed to score more than 50.
By comparison, Miami has only scored under 50 once this season
Miami's Probable Starters | |||||
| G | Durand Scott | So. | 13.8 ppg | 4.3 rpg | 3.3 |
| G | Malcolm Grant | Jr. | 15.6 ppg | 1.7 rpg | 3.6 apg |
| G | Garrius Adams | So. | 7.3 ppg | 3.1 rpg | 1.8 apg |
| F | Julian Gamble | Jr. | 3.4 ppg | 3.3 rpg | 0.8 bpg |
| C | Reggie Johnson | So. | 11.8 ppg | 10.0 rpg | 1.3 bpg |
Miami's last game was just on Thursday, so there's the distinct possibility that they will come out, and finish, sluggishly. That, after all, is what I use to justify the loss to Wake.
The Canes have three guys scoring in double-figures, including Reggie Johnson, who's averaging a double-double every game. The Hoos have Mustapaha Farrakhan averaging 13.1 points, followed by freshmen Joe Harris and K.T. Harrell coming in at 9.9 points per game. Assane Sene leads the rebounding front at 5.4 each.
The question, in addition to the standard question of whether Farrakhan will be on or not, I think Hoos have to be wondering whether Sammy Zeglinski really is "back," as we all want him to be. Zeglinski opened against Clemson big, going 4-for-4 in the first seven minutes from long range. Those, however, would be his only 12 points of the night.
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