NCAA Basketball Picks: Boston College vs. Miami

Will the Miami Hurricanes notch a bigger win this time on their floor or can Boston College collect again in Gables? Find out where we are placing our NCAA Basketball picks in this ACC showdown.

The No. 8 Miami Hurricanes have won nine straight battles, holding foes to 58.3 PPG en route to a 7-2 spread record. Tuesday’s ACC basketball battle has Jim Larranaga’s squad hosting the Boston College Eagles, who cashed as a six-point home dog in last month’s 60-59 defeat to the Hurricanes.

Hurricanes, Johnson edge out N.C. State

Miami’s latest victory came in Saturday’s 79-78 victory over the North Carolina State Wolfpack, collecting in a pick’em at the betting windows. The Hurricanes rallied from a 40-34 halftime deficit, despite a 3-for-21 day beyond the arc.

Hurricanes center Reggie Johnson logged eight boards en route to 15 points, tipping in the game’s winning bucket with four seconds remaining. Miami’s Durand Scott notched a team-high 18 points, while mate Shane Larkin logged five of his side’s nine assists.

The contest’s combined 157 points soared above the ‘total’ of 134, lifting the OVER to 3-1 in the Hurricanes’ last four games. Miami sank 16-of-23 free throws, while allowing 53.8 percent field shooting from N.C. State.

Eagles, Rahon hold off Clemson

Boston College ended a five-game losing streak with Saturday’s 75-68 triumph over the Clemson Tigers, cashing as a 1 ½-point home favorite. The Eagles connected from their floor at a 57.8 percent clip, including an 11-for-20 day from three-point land. 

Eagles guard Joe Rahon piled in a season-high 26 points, while adding four boards. Boston College’s Lonnie Jackson and Eddie Odio united for 21 points, with Odio notching three steals and two blocks.

The duel’s combined 143 points jumped higher than the ‘total’ of 121, moving the OVER to 6-2 in the Eagles’ last eight affairs. Boston College held Clemson to 39.6 percent shooting, while outrebounding the Tigers, 33-20.

Back the Hurricanes as home ‘chalk’

Bookmaker.eu opened Miami as a 14 ½-point home favorite, with early wagers on Boston College driving the NCAA Basketball odds south to 13 ½. The Hurricanes will be idle until Saturday’s home affair with the North Carolina Tar Heels, while B.C. returns to Chestnut Hill for Sunday’s clash with the No. 4 Duke Blue Devils.

I am laying the double digits in this spot, adding a ticket on Miami as part of my sports picks. The Hurricanes have held visitors to 55 PPG in their last eight home dates, giving up 35.6 percent field shooting all year.

Boston College gave Miami a close call last time out, but did not have to contend with Reggie Johnson in that battle. Johnson has grabbed 18 boards over his last two games, picking up steam after missing most of January’s action with a thumb injury.

Boston College’s octane has declined in recent road spots, held to a sparse 55 PPG earlier this month at Virginia and Maryland. The pair of duels capped off a 3-7-1 ATS run in the Eagles’ last 11 contests away from home.

Miami has a 12-3 spread record in its last 15 matchups against foes with winning records, while going 4-0 ATS in its last four home dates. Add the Hurricanes to your College Basketball picks tonight, looking for them to pick up another cashed ticket, despite the high premium in this spot.