Dick Vitale picking Connecticut to win national title … but says Miami Hurricanes will give UConn “a hell of a game”

The Miami Hurricanes didn’t have many believes entering NCAA Tournament play, hence the “Don’t Pick Us” mantra of the team that went viral on social media.

But one of the team’s supporters from the start was legendary announcer/college basketball analyst Dick Vitale. Before a single game was played he picked Miami to the Elite 8.

Not the Final Four, we’ll grant you.

But he believed more than others.

So now, with the No. 5 seeded Canes set to face No. 4 seed Connecticut … and with FAU and San Diego State squaring off on the other side of the bracket … what does Vitale see ahead for Miami?

Well, he’s not picking the Canes on Saturday night.

“It’s going to be a great game, better than a lot of people think,” Vitale told CaneSport. “Jordan Miller has been sensational, (Norchad) Omier inside gives them a post presence and the three guards, throw (Wooga) Poplar in there along with (Isaiah) Wong and (Nijel) Pack, they can make shots and create problems. … However, I think the size of (Adama) Sonogo and the guy off the bench (Donovan) Clingan defensively can create a problem. I think when it’s all said and done Connecticut is going to somehow win, but it’s going to be a hell of a game.

“And I’m picking Connecticut to win the whole thing.”

Vitale’s key if Miami is somehow going to win the game against UConn?

“I think it’s going to have to be Omier is going to have to neutralize their bigs inside – Sonogo has been a double-double machine. He’s a big, powerful strong guy. I think he creates a problem. That becomes a big factor. But also another key is Miami’s guards are going to have to make some threes. Think about this: Connecticut plays Gonzaga, the leading scoring team in the nation (86.1 points). They have 54 points. Nobody has been close to them. They’ve been blowing people away left and right.

“I think Miami gives them a hell of a game.”

Vitale rates the strengths of the remaining four teams as follows: UConn first, Miami second, San Diego State third and FAU fourth.

“The other game (FAU/San Diego State) is a toss-up,” Vitale said.

So it makes sense then that he says if Miami does emerge victorious on Saturday night against the Huskies that the Canes will go on to win the national title game.

If that does happen?

No one would be happier for Canes coach Jim Larranaga than Vitale.

“I’ve known Jimmy for many, many years,” Vitale said. “Jimmy years ago bought my daughter’s house, then sold that and now bought another (second) home – I literally can walk to his house in two minutes from where I live.”

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