What you should know as UM jumps to No. 13 in AP poll, faces rematch with Virginia Tech

The Miami Hurricanes got good news shortly before boarding their flight to Blacksburg, Virginia, Monday afternoon. They moved up to No. 13 in the AP rankings and a season-high No. 11 in the USA Today Coaches Poll as they prepare to face Virginia Tech on Tuesday night.

UM is the hottest team in the ACC with three games remaining in the regular season. The Canes are a half-game behind first-place Virginia with a 22-5 overall record, 13-4 in the league and they are riding a six-game win streak that includes victories over Clemson, Duke, Louisville, North Carolina and Wake Forest.

The streak began in late January with a 92-83 home win against the Hokies. There were 17 lead changes in that game. Miami trailed with under seven minutes to go, and then guard Nijel Pack went on a 17-point, five-minute flurry that left the Hokies’ heads spinning and sent the Watsco Center into pandemonium.

Virginia Tech coach Mike Young has dissected replays of that game in preparation for Tuesday’s rematch and paid close attention to Miami’s 96-87 win against Wake Forest on Saturday. He is also aware that the Hurricanes lead the conference in scoring with 79.7 points per game and have topped 90 points in three of their past six games.

“It’s safe to say it will be different than it was down there,” Young said. “We’ll have to guard better. You’re not going to outscore them. I don’t know that anybody in our league is going to outscore them. They’re really active and aggressive defensively, which turns people over. You turn Wake Forest over 19 times and Tyree Appleby 12 times, you’re in a bind, and I know how good Wake Forest and Appleby are.

“They thrive on that. If the game is in the 80s, we’ve got major problems. They have five guys on the floor who can score, also (Wooga) Poplar, Bensley (Joseph) and (Harlond) Beverly. You have to keep 15 (Norchad Omier) off the glass. It’s a tall order, but if you expect to win, that’s what you’ve got to do.”

The Hokies carry a 16-11 record into the game, 6-10 in the ACC, but they are 12-3 at home at Cassell Coliseum. They are coming off a seven-point win over third-place Pitt.

Grant Basile scored 22 against the Panthers and is averaging 24 points over the past five games. He and Justyn Mutts have come on strong in recent weeks.

“They’re a terrific offensive team with a lot of weapons and our main focus is how do we slow them down,” Miami coach Jim Larranaga said. “We know there’s going to be a great crowd at Tech. With the way Basile and Mutts are playing right now, they’re as good as anybody in our league and probably in the country.”

The coach added that UM’s offense is predicated on its defense, so the Canes will be relying on steals, turnovers, and defensive rebounds to get them into the open court, from where they have thrived.

“In the last month, Mutts and Basile have picked up their games,” Larranaga said, adding that both Hokies players are scoring more than they were the last time they played. “Our defense in the front court is going to be very challenged.”

Omier, Miami’s energetic 6-7 power forward, and utility guard Jordan Miller will have to step up to guard Mutts and Basile. Virginia Tech guards Hunter Catoor and Sean Pedulla scored 20 apiece against UM the last time out, so UM guards Pack, Isaiah Wong, Wooga Poplar and Bensley Joseph will have to buckle down on the defensive end.

The UM vs. Virginia Tech series has been an exciting one in recent years, with games decided in overtime, triple overtime, on a half-court buzzer beater and by one point.

Tuesday’s game tips off at 7 p.m. and will be shown on ESPNU.