Miami Hurricanes vs Virginia Cavaliers Prediction, Picks and Game Preview - 02/21/2026

Game Time: 2:00 pm ET, Saturday, February 21, 2026

Venue:  John Paul Jones Arena, Charlottesville, VA

Where to Watch:  ESPN2

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  Miami-FL +8.5, UVA -8.5; Over/Under:  145.5 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  Miami-FL +8.5, UVA -8.5; Over/Under:  145.5 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  Miami-FL +8.5, UVA -8.5; Over/Under:  145.5 points

Miami Hurricanes:  21-5 (10-3) (3rd place, ACC)

Virginia Cavaliers:  23-3 (11-2) (2nd place, ACC)

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Miami Hurricanes:  4-1  last 5

Virginia Cavaliers:  5-0  last 5

Miami-Florida is entering this game with a 21-5 record overall, a 10-3 record in conference games, and they are 6-1 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a win against the Virginia Tech Hokies in their last game. Tre Donaldson led the team in points in that game with 32 while Dante Allen was next on the team with 10. Malik Reneau and Tre Donaldson each led the team in assists with 2 in that game while Ernest Udeh Jr. led the team in rebounds with 9. They were 44.3% from the field, 25% from 3-point range, and 69.2% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 82.9 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 69.9 PPG against them. Miami-Florida has an ATS record of 12-12-1 this season and their O/U record is 15-9-1.

Virginia is entering this game with a 23-3 record overall, an 11-2 conference record, and they are 12-1 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a win against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in their last game. Thijs De Ridder led the team in points in that game with 22 while Malik Thomas was next on the team with 17. Dallin Hall led the team in assists with 10 in that game while Ugonna Onyenso led the team in rebounds with 9. They were 45.6% from the field, 37.8% from 3-point range, and 61.5% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 81.9 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 67.4 PPG against them. Virginia has an ATS record of 13-11-2 this season and their O/U record is 10-16.

The current betting odds have Miami listed as an 8.5 point underdog in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. Miami has looked really good in their games this season with their 21-5 record overall and their 10-3 conference record which has them right near the top of the ACC. They have been a good road team too with their 6-1 road record this year. Meanwhile, Virginia has looked great in their games this season with their 23-3 record overall and their 11-2 conference record which has them right near the top of the ACC. They have looked great on their home court too with their 12-1 home record this season. Virginia has been rolling in their games lately with 7 wins in a row now and they are off a huge double digit win over Georgia Tech in their last one. Georgia Tech might just be the single worst team in the ACC this year though, and Virginia hasn't really cruised like that in their other games. They have played in some tight games lately and those have been against some weaker teams in the conference too. Miami hasn't had the strongest schedule in the ACC so far, but they haven't gotten by playing nobody either. They have picked up some nice wins this season and they have been rolling lately with 4 wins in a row now. Virginia isn't winning games with great defense like they have in years past either so Miami is going to have the offense to keep up in this one, especially since Virginia has had trouble putting teams away late when the game has been close lately. Miami is going to bring their best effort to try and get a statement win on the road here, so look for Miami to keep this tight. The best way to place a bet here is on Miami to cover the spread in this game. 

Miami Virginia Prediction:  Our NCAAB Pick for Saturday, February 21, 2026 (2:00 pm ET start time) is Virginia 71 Miami 67.

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Miami Hurricanes: 6-10 ATS after 3 or more consecutive wins. 4-9 ATS when playing against a top-level team (Win Pct. > 80%). 15-22 ATS versus good defensive teams - shooting pct defense of 42% or less. 15-9 UNDER versus good rebounding teams - outrebounding opponents by 4+ per game.

Virginia Cavaliers: 8-4 ATS after a win by 15 points or more. 9-3 ATS versus very good teams - outscoring their opponents by 8+ points/game. 9-5 ATS versus good shooting teams - making 45% of their shots or more. 9-4 UNDER in all home games.

Miami Hurricanes:  T. Maddox (F) Questionable - Undisclosed. M. Allen (G-F) Out - Illness.

Virginia Cavaliers:  None.

“He's doing a lot better. 
He really, really rallied just to get back out there at the end. Just everything he had to go through in the past, and getting IBs and doing all that, doing whatever, to try to get back on the court.” - Jai Lucas on the injury to Malik Reneau. 

"Yeah, proud of the guys and their the way that they started the game. I think obviously that was the key the first half for us. uh Offensively, our guys had much more trust into our offense today. Whether it was after a miss or after a make, but our guys did a nice job is something we've been working.” - Ryan Odom after his team’s win against GA Tech in their last game. 

T. Donaldson 

S. Henderson 

M. Reneau 

E. Udeh 

T. Washington

T. De Ridder 

J. Grünloh 

D. Hall 

S. Lewis 

M. Thomas

PPG: Malik Reneau (19.7)

APG: Tre Donaldson (5.9)

Reb/G: Ernest Udeh Jr. (9.5)

PPG: Thijs De Ridder (15.9)

APG: Dallin Hall (4.3)

Reb/G: Thijs De Ridder (6.5)

Coaches:

Miami Hurricanes: Jai Lucas (1st season)

Virginia Cavaliers: Ryan Odom (1st season)