No. 3 Florida State Seminoles vs. No. 11 Xavier Musketeers Preview
Where: Amway Center – Orlando, FL
When: Saturday, March 18, 2017 – 6:10 PM ET
Line: Florida State Seminoles (-6) vs. Xavier Musketeers (+6); total: 151.0 – view all NCAA Basketball lines
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Betting on the Florida State Seminoles (26-8, 12-6 ACC)
It was the Dwayne Bacon and Jonathan Isaac show for the Seminoles during their first round, 86-80 win with Florida Gulf Coast, as the duo almost outscored ALL of their teammates scoring production combined (42 to 44). Isaac, an all-around big, was able to fill the stat sheet for 17 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, two steals, and three blocks.
Look for Bacon (17.1 PPG) and Isaac (12.1 PPG, 7.1 RPG) to continue being as such, although Xavier Rathan-Mayes, Terence Mann, and the rest of the supporting cast could be extra productive as well. These guys have been collectively playing good together for the whole season, and we don’t see them being quiet on back-to-back occasions.
The ‘Noles are 8-4 in their last 12 games (6-6 ATS). During that span, their offense produces 80.5 points on 49.2 percent shooting, while their defense records 7.1 steals and 4.8 blocks per game.
Betting on the Xavier Musketeers (22-13, 9-9 Big East)
It wasn’t the biggest upset in the world, but the up-and-down bunch of Xavier still surprised a lot of people in their 76-65 win over Maryland Thursday night.
Trevon Blueitt was the star for the Musketeers once again. His shooter’s mentality was on full display, as he started off 0-for-7 before showcasing another shooting exhibition, where he made 6-of-7 attempts to finish with a game-high 21 points, including five treys.
Second-string center Sean O’Mara provided great damage as well. Coming in only netting 5.9 points in 13.1 minutes of play, the big man suddenly powered his way through the lane to post 18 points and seven rebounds.
In facing the fast-paced FSU squad, Blueitt, JP Macura, and all the other guys’ outside shooting and quick-trigger attack will obviously have to be there. However, due the the Musketeers’ likely inability to go mano y mano against the Seminoles’ speed and athleticism, they will probably need to operate more of their half court offense for them to get the W.
Xavier is 4-1 in its last five games (5-0 ATS). The team is scoring 72.8 PPG and shooting 47.8 percent from the field during that stretch, with Blueitt’s 20.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.6 assists leading the pack.
Writer’s Prediction
Xavier (+6) wins it, 83-80.
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