The Miami Hurricanes snapped their two-game losing skid in emphatic fashion on Saturday, with a dominant 79-64 victory over the visiting Virginia Tech Hokies. At the heart of Miami’s resurgence was sophomore center Norchad Omier, who turned in a herculean performance with 33 points and 14 rebounds.

Omier was unstoppable from the outset, setting the tone early with a pair of thunderous dunks. The Panamanian big man showcased his versatile skillset throughout the contest, scoring in the paint, knocking down mid-range jumpers, and even hitting a three-pointer. His physicality and relentless effort proved too much for the Hokies’ defense to handle.

In addition to Omier’s heroics, Miami also displayed a vast improvement in their shooting. After struggling from deep in their previous two games, the Hurricanes connected on 42.9% of their three-point attempts (9-of-21). Kameron McGusty, Isaiah Wong, and Bensley Joseph all hit multiple threes, providing much-needed offensive balance.

The Hokies, meanwhile, shot just 37.7% from the field and made only 5-of-19 from beyond the arc. Their normally potent offense, led by Hunter Cattoor and Sean Pedulla, was held in check by Miami’s stingy defense. Cattoor was limited to just 12 points on 4-of-13 shooting, while Pedulla finished with 13 points on 5-of-14 shooting.

Besides Omier’s dominance and Miami’s improved shooting, there were several other key factors in their victory:

• Defensive intensity: Miami held Virginia Tech to just 64 points, well below their season average of 70.3. They forced 14 turnovers and contested shots with great intensity.
• Rebounding edge: Miami outrebounded Virginia Tech 40-25, with Omier leading the way. The Hurricanes’ dominance on the boards gave them second chances and limited the Hokies’ offensive opportunities.
• Bench contributions: Miami’s bench provided valuable minutes, with Joseph and Manu Lecomte combining for 23 points. Their contributions helped keep Miami’s energy levels high throughout the game.

With their victory over Virginia Tech, Miami improved to 15-6 overall and 7-4 in ACC play. Omier’s performance was a major catalyst for the Hurricanes’ success, and he has now emerged as one of the most dominant big men in the conference. If Miami can continue to receive consistent production from Omier and complement it with improved shooting and defense, they have the potential to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament.