BYU Cougars vs. Miami Hurricanes Picks and Prediction for Thursday, November 27, 2025
It’s a first-round matchup of the Terry’s Chocolate ESPN Events Invitational as a team from the Big 12 takes on one from the ACC on the hardwood as part of the Magic Bracket in the Sunshine State on Thursday afternoon as the #9 BYU Cougars take on the Miami Hurricanes, and we have you covered with our BYU vs. Miami prediction. BYU rolled to a 98-70 home win over Wisconsin in their previous game Friday night, covering the line as a four-point favorite. Miami trounced Delaware State 97-41 at home in their previous game Sunday, covering the line as a 35-point favorite. In the all-time series between the teams, each program has won twice, with the Hurricanes picking up a 107-86 win at home in the most recent meeting on February 4, 1989. Read more about this BYU vs. Miami prediction! Struggling with handicapping? Try our NCAAB Predictions!
Sign Up for Winners and Whiners News Alerts, Get Free Picks and Discounts
Subscribe Now
BYU Looking to Roll to Title Game
BYU bounced back from a loss to UConn as they trounced Wisconsin at home in their previous contest Friday night. The Cougars improved to 4-1 on the season and look to string together back-to-back wins as they take the floor here. Against Wisconsin, BYU trailed 2-0 and 4-2 early before taking control with a 16-2 run that gave them an 18-6 advantage with 12:39 to play in the first half. The Cougars didn’t let the Badgers closer than four after that as they led by 12 at the half and by as many as 32 en route to the triumph. BYU shot 47.7% from the floor, including 14 of 34 from three-point range, and limited Wisconsin to 37.7% shooting in the contest. Richie Saunders led the Cougars with 26 points in the win.
The Cougars are putting up 87.2 points a game so far this season, putting them 64th in the nation in scoring offense. BYU is grabbing 39.4 boards per game (105th) and dishes out an average of 13.8 assists a night, which is 218th in the country. The Cougars are very good on the defensive end of the floor as they are 91st in the nation with 68.6 points per game allowed this year. Richie Saunders leads the Cougars as he puts up 20.8 points plus 5.6 rebounds per game. AJ Dybantsa (19.8 points, 6.6 rebounds) and Robert Wright III (16.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, 5.6 assists) are solid secondary scorers. Kennard Davis Jr., Dawson Baker, Keba Keita, Dominique Diomande, Aleksej Kostic, Mihailo Boskovic, Khadim Mboup, Tyler Mrus and Xavier Staton are all key contributors for coach Kevin Young. BYU shoots 48.6% from the floor as a team, which is 70th in Division I. The Cougars sink 9.2 three-pointers per game (#96 in the nation) while shooting 34.3% from downtown. BYU is above average at the free throw line, sinking 76.9% of their chances this season, leaving them 42nd in Division I.
Key Injury Report for BYU:
- Guard Kennard Davis Jr. (personal) is out.
Hurricanes Try to Pick Up Big Non-Conference Win
Miami won their second straight game as they obliterated Delaware State in their previous contest at home. The Hurricanes ran their record to 5-1 on the year and look to pick up their first win away from home in this category. Against Delaware State, Miami never trailed as they were up 11-2 early and rolled to a 50-19 advantage at the half. The Hurricanes led by as many as 59 in the second half as they cruised to the victory. Miami shot a blistering 61.3% from the field, including 10 of 23 from three-point range, and dominated the glass with a 44-29 advantage in the contest. Malik Reneau led the Hurricanes with 24 points and 10 rebounds in the victory.
The Hurricanes come into the game ranked 31st in the nation in scoring offense with 92.2 points per game on the year. Miami pulls down an average of 41.3 rebounds per contest while dishing out 21.7 assists per game, which is 1st in the nation. The Hurricanes are above average defensively, ranking 36th in the country by allowing 64.3 points per contest. Malik Reneau leads the team in scoring as he averages 21.5 points and 7.5 rebounds per game this season. Tre Donaldson (16.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, 5.8 assists), Tru Washington (14.8 points, 4.4 rebounds) and Shelton Henderson (11.8 points, 3.5 rebounds) are solid scoring options this season. Timotej Malovec, Ernest Udeh Jr., Dante Allen, Marcus Allen, Jordan Key, Salih Altuntas and John LaBoy II are key pieces for coach Jai Lucas’ rotation. The Hurricanes shoot 52.9% from the field as a team this season, which is 14th in the nation. Miami connects on 7.2 three-pointers a night while shooting 36.4% from beyond the arc, putting them 96th in the country. The Hurricanes are below average at the charity stripe this season, shooting 67.5% as a team at the line, putting them 282nd in Division I in that category.
| # | Handicapper | Profit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Earle Sports Bets | +2,298.00 |
| 2 |  Ross Benjamin | +1,840.00 |
| 3 |  Rob Vincilleti | +1,757.00 |
| 4 |  David Hess | +1,745.00 |
| 5 |  Dan Kaiser | +987.00 |
Key Injury Report for Miami:
- Guard Tru Washington (lower body) is questionable.
- Center Ernest Udeh (lower body) is questionable.
BYU vs. Miami Pick
BYU vs. Miami Spread Pick
- BYU (4 units)
Both teams are very good on the offensive end of the floor but injuries could take a toll on the Hurricanes here. Miami was without Washington in their previous game, while Udeh has missed two straight contests. The Hurricanes struggle at the charity stripe, which is a spot where BYU has been successful on the year. In their lone game away from home, Miami was beaten by 14 points against Florida and even being on a neutral floor here doesn’t assuage concerns about their play. BYU has the potential #1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft in Dybantsa and they have capable veteran leadership as well. Take the Cougars here as they earn the victory to reach the title game.
BYU vs. Miami Over/Under Pick
- Over (4 units)
BYU has seen the under post a 3-2 mark in their five games on the season. On the year, the Cougars are 5th in offensive efficiency, 67th in effective field goal percentage (55.8%), 5th in turnover percentage (11.2%), 56th in two-point shooting (58.9%) and 42nd in free throw shooting on the year. BYU is 130th in tempo with 70.7 possessions on the year. They are 26th in defensive efficiency, 93rd in effective field goal percentage defense (47.7%) and 69th by allowing offensive rebounds on only 26.7% of their opponent’s misses. Miami has gone over the number in four of their six contests. The Hurricanes are 67th in offensive efficiency, 24th in effective field goal percentage (58.6%), 50th in turnover percentage (14.4%), 14th in field goal percentage and 42nd in two-point shooting (60.2%) on the year. Miami is 44th in adjusted tempo as they average 72.7 possessions a night. Look for both teams to push the pace and zip this game past the total.
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
Bet $5 & Get $150
