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Preview: Miami Basketball Kickstart Conference Play Against Pittsburgh
Dec 2, 2025; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Miami Hurricanes guard Tre Donaldson (3) passes the ball as Mississippi Rebels guard Koren Johnson (3) and forward Augusto Cassiá (88) defend during the second half at The Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Preview: Miami Basketball Kickstart Conference Play Against Pittsburgh

Originally posted on Miami Hurricanes on SI
By Justice Sandle  |  Last updated Dec 26, 2025 12:43 PM ET

"Preseason" hoops are over for the Miami Hurricanes (11-2) as the refreshed team looks to continue its win streak heading into conference play.

The Canes are still down several players, but against the Pittsburgh Panthers (7-6), they can improve to 10-0 at home this season. It also helps that the Panthers are not living up to the hype that was placed on them this season.

This is the perfect tune-up game for Conference play, even though no win is an easy win. They will also be on the road a lot in conference play this season, with only a few marquee games at home. However, that won't change what the team can do to start conference play with a dominant victory, and send a message showing that this isn't the same old Canes team from the past two seasons.

The Canes have two players playing at an All-American level, while a budding superstar freshman who improves game after game. The Canes have the advantage over the Panthers in this matchup, but it will come down to defensive execution and offensive output.

Miami Players to Watch: Timo Malovec

Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Miami has many freshmen who are starting to show out. Malovec is turning into the Canes' most consistent deep-range threat, so they have to take more shots from the perimeter to win these games. It also helps with the injuries he is getting more playing time and proving to be one of the most efficient players on the floor when he is there with Tre Donaldson and Malik Reneau.

Pitt Players to Watch: Cameron Corhen

Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Corhen is a version of Reneu for the Panthers who has dominated in the paint, nearly finishing with a double-double every game. The big man is averaging 14 points a game while grabbing nine rebounds for the struggling Panthers. However, he has big-game potential and could cause problems for a limited Canes team that gets into foul trouble.

How to Watch: Pitt at Miami

Who: Miami Hurricanes and Pitt Panthers

When: Tuesday, Dec. 30, 7 p.m. ET

Where: Watsco Center, Coral Gables, Fla.

TV: ACCN/ESPN+

Radio: FM 104.3 WQAM

AP Top 25Empty heading

(Ranking, Team, First-Place Votes, Record, Points)

  1. Arizona (38), 11-0, 1428
  2. Michigan (19), 11-0, 1408
  3. Iowa State (1), 12-0, 1320
  4. UConn, 12-1, 1281
  5. Purdue, 11-1, 1174
  6. Duke, 11-1, 1148
  7. Gonzaga, 12-1, 1080
  8. Houston, 11-1, 1061
  9. Michigan State, 11-1, 985
  10. BYU, 11-1, 966
  11. Vanderbilt, 12-0, 810
  12. North Carolina, 11-1, 806
  13. Nebraska, 12-0, 704
  14. Alabama, 9-3, 638
  15. Texas Tech, 9-3, 588
  16. Louisville, 10-2, 555
  17. Kansas, 9-3, 494
  18. Arkansas, 9-3, 470
  19. Tennessee, 9-3, 460
  20. Illinois, 8-3, 429
  21. Virginia, 10-1, 252
  22. Florida, 8-4, 215
  23. Georgia, 10-1, 127
  24. USC, 12-1, 92
  25. Iowa, 10-2, 79

Others Receiving Votes: Kentucky 78, Seton Hall 49, Auburn 39, St. John's 23, California 19, LSU 17, UCLA 13, Clemson 9, Miami (Ohio) 6, Utah St. 5, Arizona St 5, Indiana 4, Miami 4, Saint Louis 3, Belmont 2, Baylor 1, Oklahoma St. 1, UCF 1, NC State 1.

This article first appeared on Miami Hurricanes on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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