Diamand Head Classic Final Round: A look at Florida St-Baylor

Diamond Head Classic, Stan Sheriff Center, Honolulu, HI
Florida St Seminoles vs Baylor Bears
Saturday, December 25, 2010, 7:30 pm Eastern, TV: ESPN2
Opening Line: Baylor -2
Current line: Baylor -3 1/2
Opening Total: 134
Current Total: 135
Money Line: Baylor -170 / FSU +150

Quincy Acy and Baylor look to rebound in the Diamond Head Classic against Florida St. The Bears are 3 1/2 point favorites.

The 8-2 Baylor Bears take on the 10-3 Florida St Seminoles in the consolation game of the Diamond Head Classic in Hawaii. Many people thought these two teams would meet in the championship game, but both were upset in the semifinals. Florida St lost to Butler 67-64. Butler was up by 15 with 8 minutes to go, Florida St made a furious comeback and pulled to within 4 with a minute to go. Baylor lost to Washington St 77-71. Baylor also was down big in the second and tried to rally but fell short. Washington St was up by 20 and held on for the win. Baylor has two losses on the season both to teams from Washington. They lost to Gonzaga in Dallas last Saturday. Florida St has losses to Florida and Ohio St on the season. FSU is 11-23 ATS in all games over the last 2 seasons, including 8-21 ATS against teams with winning records, and 3-13 ATS against teams allowing 64 points or fewer. Baylor is 14-5 ATS in non-conference road games over teh last 3 seasons. Florida St leads the all-time series 2-0 but the teams haven’t played since 1972.

It certainly wasn’t guard Chris Singleton’s fault they lost to Butler Thursday night. Singleton was brilliant and scored 28 points, plus 9 rebounds. He also made 6 out of 12 three pointers. the problem was no other Seminole scored more than 3 baskets. Singleton went 9 for 16 from the field, and the rest of the Seminoles were 12-37 combined. Singleton is the only Seminole averaging in double figure scoring with 14.7 a game. He also leads the team in rebounds with 8.1 a game, steals with 2.5 a game, and blocks with 2.1 a game. Forward-Center Xavier Gibson injured his knee against Butler and is questionable against Baylor. Gibson has started all 13 games for the Seminoles. Florida St is outscoring opponents 73-60 on the season. They shoot 43.8% from the field and 34.4% from 3 point range. The Seminoles make 68.5% of their free throws. FSU averages 42.2 rebounds and has a rebounding margin of +8.3. Florida St averages 13.3 assists and 17.5 turnovers a game. Guard Derwin Kitchen leads the team with 3.5 assists a game. During this tournament he has been a force on the boards gathering 10 rebounds in each of the first two games in Hawaii. The Seminoles average 9.1 steals and 7.2 blocks a game.

Like Singleton, Baylor guard LaceDarius Dunn had a huge game in Baylor’s semifinal loss to Washington St. He scored 29 points and pulled down 4 rebounds. Though, unlike Singleton, Dunn did have some help. Forward Quincy Acy had a double double with 16 points and 12 rebounds. Center Perry Jones III added 11 points despite early foul trouble. The main problem was Baylor shot only 36.7% from the field including only 4 out of 22 from three point range. Baylor is outscoring opponents 76-56 on the season. Dunn leads the team in scoring with 21.6 PPG. He is tied for the team lead in steals with 2.1 a game. Acy scores 14.4 a game and Jones scores 13.3 a game. Both Jones and Acy are tied for the team lead in rebounds with 8.4 a game. Baylor is shooting 47.9% from the field, and 32.1% from 3 point range. They make 70% of their free throws. They average 41 rebounds and have a rebounding margin of +12.4. Baylor averages 13.2 assists and 16 turnovers a game. Point guard A.J. Walton leads the team in assists with 5.3 a game. Baylor also averages 8.2 steals and 4.6 blocks. Acy leads the team with 1.3 blocks a game.

Both of these team rebound very well, but are prone to turnovers. Both had an off night shooting Thursday night, which is why they are playing in the third place game and not the championship. Bettors should keep an eye on the Gibson situation, although he doesn’t contribute a lot offensively, it might affect the Seminole’s depth. I expect a close game between these two, though motivation might be an issue for both as well.