This is a strange line to me considering Miami finished 32nd in the NET Rankings and Missouri 58th. With both teams averaging around or above 80 points per game, this could end up a fun shootout towards the end of Friday night's games. But Miami's defense is better, they're a better rebounding team, and Mizzou enters on a three game losing streak. Give me the Hurricanes by three possessions.
One of the most entertaining games of Friday will be the last one scheduled, but when tip-off finally arrives you should get some buzz from a Mizzou-leaning crowd in St. Louis. Interestingly, that’s where Miami has actually thrived this year, going 8-2 in true road games. Malik Reneau and Mark Mitchell are must-see TV in this clash of all-conference lead forwards, but it’s the experience and play-making of Miami guard Tre Donaldson that can be the X-factor in the late-game possessions to give Lucas his first NCAA Tournament victory as a head coach.
