Miami Hurricanes vs Mount St. Mary´s Mountaineers Picks and Predictions December 21st 2024

Miami Looks to Build Momentum Against Mount St. Mary’s

After snapping a seven-game losing streak with a decisive 94-75 victory over Presbyterian, Miami is eager to sustain that energy when it hosts Mount St. Mary’s on Saturday afternoon.

Hurricanes Seeking Stability

Miami (4-7) started the season strong at 3-0 but has since endured a challenging stretch. Despite those struggles, head coach Jim Larranaga is encouraging his players to focus on the present.

“It’s a long season and you don’t know what’s going to happen tomorrow,” Larranaga said. “The thing I kept emphasizing to them … is history and (there is) nothing we can do about yesterday.”

The Hurricanes showcased their potential against Presbyterian, shooting a record-setting 67.3 percent from the field and featuring three players scoring 20 or more points. Matthew Cleveland led the way with a career-high 24 points, followed by Brandon Johnson with 22, and Lynn Kidd, who notched his second consecutive double-double with 20 points and 11 rebounds.

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Kidd (11.7 ppg), Cleveland (10.6), and Johnson (10.1) are all averaging in double figures this season. Miami’s leading scorer, Nijel Pack (13.9 ppg), is sidelined with a foot injury, and Larranaga has not provided a timeline for his return.

Mount St. Mary’s Ready for the Challenge

Mount St. Mary’s (7-4) enters Saturday’s matchup on the heels of an 80-72 win over LIU. The Mountaineers are 6-3 in non-conference play and are gearing up for their first game against an ACC opponent this season.

Dallas Hobbs leads Mount St. Mary’s with 14.0 points and 3.7 assists per game. He has shown his ability to compete against power conference teams, scoring a season-high 21 points in a loss to Maryland earlier this year.

“We have a lot of guys who want to take the big shot, who want to make that play,” first-year head coach Donny Lind said.

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Key Matchups

1. Miami’s Offense vs. Mount St. Mary’s Defense
   With a season shooting percentage of 49.5, Miami will look to exploit its offensive efficiency against a Mountaineers team that has allowed 72 points or more in its last three games.
2. Lynn Kidd vs. Mount St. Mary’s Frontcourt
   Kidd’s back-to-back double-doubles highlight his growing presence in the paint. His battle against Mount St. Mary’s interior defense will be crucial to Miami’s success.
3. Dallas Hobbs vs. Miami’s Defense
   Hobbs will need to deliver a standout performance to keep the Mountaineers competitive. Miami’s defense will focus on limiting his impact, especially on critical possessions.

What’s at Stake

For Miami, a win would provide much-needed momentum and mark its first back-to-back victories since November. Mount St. Mary’s, meanwhile, will aim to prove it can compete against higher-level competition and secure its seventh non-conference win of the season.

This matchup presents an opportunity for both programs to demonstrate resilience and adaptability as they strive for consistency heading into the heart of their respective schedules.