Miami Preparing for Game Against Pitt with ACC Championship on the Line

So much is on the line for the Miami Hurricanes this Saturday. With a victory against Pittsburgh, UM would win its second-ever ACC regular season championship.

Miami’s first conference title was in 2013, and with the Hurricanes in a position to replicate this feat almost a decade later, head coach Jim Larrañaga says this would be an excellent way to honor that original championship-winning team.

“The best way to celebrate our 2013 ACC Regular Season Championship is by getting another one on its 10th anniversary,” Larrañaga said on Friday.

This will not be easy, as the Panthers have just as much to play for as Miami. Pitt would win its first ACC regular-season championship with a victory over the Hurricanes. 

The two teams played each other earlier this year, with Pitt coming out on top in a three-point thriller. Miami held an eight-point lead with 2:06 remaining in the game, which led to an 11-0 run by the Panthers to close out the game. UM has gone 7-1 since this contest.

Hurricanes guard Jordan Miller, who will be celebrating his Senior Day along with four of his teammates, recognizes the challenges that the Panthers present to Miami.

“I think they have weapons all around,” Miller said. “They have the size. They’re just a very good all-around team. They don’t have any key weaknesses.” 

Miami’s guard duo of Isaiah Wong and Nijel Pack combined for only 20 points in the Hurricanes’ previous loss to Pitt. With Pack being such a vital player to UM’s success, he will need to be a difference-maker against the Panthers if he plays.

The third-year guard missed Miami’s last game against Florida State, and Larrañaga, during Friday’s press conference did not confirm whether he would return to action in UM’s regular-season finale.

Larrañaga did say that Pack “has seen some practice time in a limited role” over the course of the past week.

Friday’s practice was encouraging for his status, as Pack fully participated in Miami’s warmup drills, along with the 5-on-5 portion of practice.

Saturday’s game is scheduled for 6 p.m. at the Watsco Center. If Miami wins, it would mark its 16th home victory of the season, setting a program record.