Miami Basketball: 3 keys to beat UConn Huskies in Final Four matchup

After reaching the Elite Eight last season, No. 5 seed Miami Basketball out of the ACC has danced all the way to the Final Four. I am now allowed to take my victory lap for writing before Selection Sunday that Miami at +900 odds was a great bet to reach the Final Four. Thank you.

Miami and No. 4 seed UConn will tip off at approximately 8:49 pm ET, following the completion of San Diego State vs FAU. The Huskies are currently favored by five points.

Last March, Miami lost to eventual National Champion Kansas, who overcame a six-point halftime deficit and ended up winning by 26. This year, the Hurricanes could have a similar fate, facing off against a Connecticut team that has been a wagon so far in the NCAA Tournament.

In the past two tournaments, Miami has overcome the odds and pulled off upsets that, on paper, looked like huge mismatches. The undersized Hurricanes took down No. 2 seed Auburn in the round of 32 in 2022, which featured two 1st round NBA draft picks in the front court. This year, Miami cruised past an Indiana team with a 1st team All-American big man, and a Houston team that typically dominates on the glass.

UConn is a formidable opponent for Jim Larrañaga’s group to overcome, but the Hurricanes have proven time and time again that they are quite the challenge conquer themselves. Nonetheless, Miami will need to play a very high-level game to take down the top team in the nation on KenPom, and executing the following three keys will give them a great chance to emerge victorious.