Miami vs VCU: 2024 Charleston Classic game preview, TV schedule

VCU and Miami were favorites in the Charleston Classic entering the tournament. Now, one of them will leave this MTE with an 0-3 record.

TV schedule: Sunday, November 24th, 12:30 pm ET. ESPN+
Arena: TD Arena in Charleston, South Carolina

The Charleston Classic is the annual early MTE as part of "Feast Week". And it typically gives us surprises through the eight-team field. This year was no different, with plenty of upsets and some favorites struggling.

Miami (3-2) has lost games to both Drake and Oklahoma State to be in the 7th place game. In the 80-74 defeat to the Cowboys, the Hurricanes not only trailed the entire game, but were down by around 20 at one point before a late surge to make the final score respectable. Nijel Pack had 20 points and Brandon Johnson had a double-double but the team defense has been a glaring weakness through the tournament.

Their opponent is VCU (4-2), who has been much more competitive than the Hurricanes. But the final results were the same, with the Rams falling to Seton Hall in overtime, along with a 64-61 defeat to Nevada that included a game-winning shot in the final seconds. Zeb Jackson, who is back after an injury, had 18 points off the bench, along with 17 from Max Shulga. However, with six of the nine rotation players scoring five or fewer points, VCU's offense can get stuck in the mud.

Both of these teams came into the season with expectations of being at-large teams for the NCAA Tournament. None of these losses could end up being detrimental but going 0-3 in this MTE removes a lot of margin of error going forward. And for Miami, their biggest concern is the defense.

VCU's been close these last couple of days and a breakthrough should come. The Hurricanes' effort has been in question and it's hard to see how motivated they'll be on an early Sunday morning game. The advantage should be with the Rams.

Prediction: VCU 74, Miami 67