Miami survived three straight close calls before its chance at an unbeaten ACC season ended on Saturday at Wake Forest. The seventh-ranked Hurricanes look to get back on track when Virginia Tech visits on Wednesday. Miami has averaged 54.7 points and 38 percent shooting the last three games, but can still depend on its strong work on the other end of the court. Miami, which is 12-0 at home, would hold at least a two-game lead in the ACC with a victory before playing at second-place Duke on Saturday.Virginia Tech snapped a nine-game losing streak by beating Florida State on Sunday, shooting 50 percent for the second time in conference play this season. Senior guard Erick Green leads the nation in scoring and poured in 30 points in the Hokies' 73-64 loss to Miami on Jan. 30.TV: 7 p.m. ET, Fox Sports South.ABOUT VIRGINIA TECH (12-15, 3-11 ACC): The Hokies, who started the season 7-0, have been relegated to the spoiler role and they can be a pest with Green at the helm. Green averages 25.2 points, shooting 47.5 percent from the field and 37.5 percent from the 3-point arc. Second-leading scorer Jarell Eddie (12.4) has struggled of late, going 4-of-32 from the field combined in five of the last six games -- only breaking out for a 7-of-13 effort and 17 points against North Carolina State on Feb. 16. Virginia Tech is last in the ACC in scoring defense (74.1) and shoots 42.3 percent from the field, 11th in the league.ABOUT MIAMI (22-4, 13-1): The Hurricanes won by six at Florida State, two at Clemson and beat Virginia by four at home before getting a 14-game win streak snapped at Wake Forest. Miami allowed the Demon Deacons to shoot 54.2 percent from the field, and Hurricanes' coach Jim Larranaga will be sure have his team more focused for the Hokies. Miami still stands third in scoring defense (59.2) and second in field-goal percentage defense (38.4) in the ACC. Durand Scott averages 13.3 points to lead a balanced offense. Shane Larkin (13.1) and Kenny Kadji (12.7) are also averaging in double figures.TIP-INS1. Miami has won four of the last five meetings and leads the series 12-10.2. Tech's Robert Brown was 4-of-8 for 11 points against Florida State after shooting 23.2 percent from the field over his previous six games.3. Miami's Reggie Johnson needs five rebounds to reach 800 in his career. PREDICTION: Miami 78, Virginia Tech 64
Preview: Virginia Tech at Miami (Fla.)
Published On: Feb 26 2013 02:06:56 PM CST
Updated On: Feb 26 2013 02:06:56 PM CST
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