Miami Basketball: 3 keys to beat Texas Longhorns in Elite Eight matchup

Make threes!

This one is obvious, but it’s a crucial key to beating Texas.

Houston has the reputation of being the best defensive team in the country, but over their last four games of the season they really only played one impressive half on that end of the floor.

Texas on the other hand has held Kansas under 60 twice this month, and Xavier has been the only team to score 70 on this current seven game win streak. Texas has been fantastic on the defensive end of the floor and will give Miami a tougher time than Houston did.

The team that had the best chance so far in this tournament to knock off the Longhorns was Jalen Pickett and the Penn State Nittany Lions. Penn State lost by five points, but held a lead with under five minutes remaining and definitely gave Rodney Terry’s group a real scare. If the Nittany Lions shot better from three-point land (8-28, 28.6%), they likely would’ve pulled off the upset. Penn State has plenty of capable shooters and generated plenty of open looks from deep in that game, but they just weren’t able to convert as often as they needed to.

Miami was red hot against Houston, shooting 11-25 (44%) from long distance. Nijel Pack knocked down 7-10 from three-point land on his way to a 26-point performance. Wooga Poplar was ice cold and shot just 1-7, but ultimately it didn’t matter. In the second round win over Indiana, the Canes shot 9-23 (39.1%) from three, led by Isaiah Wong’s 4-6.

Texas’ switchability, length, and athleticism is what makes them so good defensively. If Miami can continue their recent success from behind the arc, they should be able to notch a trip to the Final Four. Pack staying hot, Poplar finding his stroke, and the rest of the crew stepping up and knocking down some looks from deep will be crucial for this team.