The Cardinals are looking for a bounce back heading into the NCAAB Florida State at Louisville pick. Chris Mack’s team spiraled out of the rankings after a 72-78 loss at Miami on Saturday as -4.5 favorites. That defeat snapped a 5-game losing streak for the Cardinals.
Things don’t appear to get much easier in the start of a new week with Florida State coming to the KFC Yum! Center. The Seminoles have rattled off two straight and have victories in 3 of their last 4. FSU boasts the #3 scoring team in the ACC, and have won three straight in this series. Nonetheless, Louisville is a -3.5 favorite in this tilt.
FSU Not Tested on the Road
Florida State received votes to crack into the top 25 this week, but it’s kind of weird that a 7-2 team isn’t there already. FSU is 23rd in KenPom and has the 34th toughest strength of schedule in the country. Perhaps one reason the Seminoles aren’t getting a ton of respect just yet is because the NCAAB Florida State at Louisville pick is just their second true road game of the year.
FSU has beaten Indiana in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge and toppled Florida in the game that Gators star Keyontae Johnson suffered a scary collapse. The Seminoles have fallen 77-67 at #20 Clemson the only time playing away from Tallahassee this season.
The Seminoles offense has looked real good the last two outings, beating NC State 105-73 as -4 favorites and toppling North Carolina 82-75 on Saturday also as -4. MJ Walker has averaged 20 ppg over that span and Raiquan Gray had a season high 19 last time out.
Louisville Trying to Bounce Back
The Cardinals suffered a defeat last time out, but they didn’t play horribly in a 78-72 loss at Miami albeit as -4.5 favorites. Louisville was doomed in by 3-20 shooting from three point range, something they hope is an anomaly and not a trend. The Cardinals do rank 9th in shooting from beyond the arc in the ACC, while Florida State is 2nd.
Carlik Jones still had 25 points in the loss to the Hurricanes and Jae’lyn Withers added 18. Withers has 16+ and double digit rebounds in two of the last three, It was Louisville’s defensive performance that raises concerns ahead of a meeting with Florida State. Miami shot just shy of 50% from the field, and had three players tally 15+ points. FSU has averaged 93+ ppg their last two.
Louisville has gone 6-0 at home this season, but recent history against the Seminoles is not on their side. FSU has won three straight and four out of five in the series, including a 78-65 win at Louisville last season as +6.5 favorites.
Free NCAAB Florida State at Louisville Pick
Louisville has a dominant player in Jones, but Florida State runs a very well rounded offense that is 2nd in the conference in scoring. FSU looks like they’re coming into their own after going for 100+ vs. NC State and beating North Carolina rather soundly this weekend.
Florida State 74 – Louisville 69
Free Pick: Florida State +3.5
