The Pitt men’s basketball team begins its ACC season on Saturday against the Miami Hurricanes. While Miami is still a Top 25 team, they’ve struggled a little as of late.
Only a few days ago, the Hurricanes were ranked No. 6 in the nation and were a perfect 9-0. But on Saturday, they were upset by unranked New Mexico State, 63-54, as part of the Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic. Then, playing in that event on Christmas, the Hurricanes defeated unranked Middle Tennessee - but barely. Miami ended up winning that game, 84-81, as Middle Tennessee hung with the Hurricanes all game.
The last two games have been significantly different than the rest of the year for Miami. The Hurricanes had mostly dominated their competition all year. The won each of their first three games by an average of more than 30 points and aside from defeating No. 12 Minnesota by five on the road, their smallest margin of victory was by nine against George Washington. The last two games have been much more difficult for Miami.
None of that should suggest that the Hurricanes are really ripe for an upset by any means. The team is balanced with four players scoring in double figures and is still 11-1. An argument could even be made that Miami will be looking to get back on track with ACC games now here and things could get ugly.
But, at the very least, the Hurricanes come into the game a little less impressive than they were only a few days ago.
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