Miami (FL) vs. (17) Florida State
Tip off: 9:25 PM EST
Spread: FL ST -3
Total: 128.5
M/L: FLST -155, MIA +135
Bet at Bookmaker, the source of these odds
Florida State
The 17th ranked Florida State Seminoles finished with a 12-4 ACC record and scored some really impressive victories, including a 33 point drubbing of then #3 ranked UNC and a three point victory over then #4 Duke. Duke got revenge, but the two teams may not have seen the last of each other…and will possibly have a chance to settle that score.
Last game out, Michael Snaer scored his career high of 23 against Clemson as the Seminoles moved from then #22 rank to where they are now at 17. Xavier Gibson (13), Bernard James (13), and Luke Loucks (10) all scored in double figures as well. The Seminoles managed that win over Clemson despite 18 turnovers. They won’t be able to be quite as sloppy tonight if they plan to beat Miami.
Snaer is putting up a team high 14.1 points per game and is also the only Seminole seeing 30+ minutes a night. The 6’5″ junior has stepped up his play after less involved freshman and sophomore campaigns, in which he took four less shots a night and averaged only 8.8 points per game. He has also improved his efficiency over last season, shooting 3.2% better from the floor, 7% better from the line, and turning it over 0.2 times less per game, despite the increase in usage.
6’10” senior Bernard James is also having a big season. The 26 year old is having a fine senior year, after spending his first two years playing JUCO. He’s put up 10.4 points per game and 8.3 boards per contest, while also swatting away 2.3 shots per game. His interior defense strengthens the Seminoles attack and it will be much needed against a tough Hurricanes’ frontline.
Seminoles Betting Trends:
M/L: 3-2
OVER 5 of last 5
Avg Total: 131.8
Miami (FL)
Miami was pleased last year with their 21-15 season, despite a 6-10 ACC record, as they were invited to the NIT and reached the quarterfinals where they lost to Alabama by 15.
This year has been brighter still. The Hurricanes posted a 9-7 ACC record (9-2 out of conference, even more impressively) and if they play well in this tournament, and in any post season invites, they will easily eclipse last season’s win total.
They’ve had some impressive wins over ranked opponents, too. On February 26th, they defeated the #16th ranked Seminoles after losing to them a couple weeks prior on the 11th, and they also knocked off then #5 ranked Duke on February 5th, at Cameron Indoor Stadium…
So the potential is there for the Hurricanes, who have ben a good scoring team (86th in the nation) with 71.8 points per game, while their rebounding is no where near as impressive as it was in years’ past.
The Hurricanes are led by the quartet of Durand Scott, Kenny Kadji, Malcolm Grant, and Reggie Johnson. Johnson missed the first part of the year due to a knee injury, but has come on strong since returning in late December and has averaged 10.5 points per game and 7.0 rebounds per game in the 19 games he has played this season. It’s a slight regression from last year’s 11.9 & 9.8, but he may return to better form as the post season progresses. The weight he dropped while rehabbing only helped him in the long run, anyway, as he shed about 20 pounds.
Scott, a 6’5″ junior guard from the Bronx, has been a starter since joining the Hurricanes and has continued his steady play. One could knock Scott for a lack of statistical improvement, but the team is better, and he’s been solid, so to do so would be petty. Oddly, he struggled in the impressive win over Duke, shooting just 3 of 12 from the floor. I say oddly because the Hurricanes are only 4-7 when he shoots under 40% from the field.
Hurricanes Betting Trends:
M/L last 5: 3-1-1
OVER 4 of last 5.
Avg Total: 136.7
Previous Meetings:
Feb 26th: Miami 78, FSU 62
Playing without Reggie Johnson, the Hurricanes ended a six game losing streak behind the strong contributions of Kenny Kadji (15 points), Shane Larkin (13), Durand Scott (17), and Trey McKinney Jones (11). Snaer led the Seminoles with 20.
Feb 11th: FSU 64, MIA 59
Seminoles forward Bernard James scores 18 on an efficient 8 of 13 shooting and Snaer plays all but 3 minutes, scoring 12, as the Seminoles hold Miami to 39% shooting from the field.
