Wednesday’s college hoops slate features what oddsmakers are expecting to be a competitive matchup in the NCAAB NC State at Florida State pick. The Wolfpack have played four of their last five at home, and have come up with losses in both their road tilts this season.
Florida State is a -3.5 favorite at home, where they are 5-1 on the season and playing in front of 2,000 plus fans. FSU has had a long layoff though, playing their last game on December 29th due to a positive COVID test and subsequent contact tracing. NC State has played three games over that span, is that enough to give the Wolfpack an edge?
Can NC State Take Advantage of Rust
Florida State will be taking the floor for the first time in two weeks. Although the lost games over that span are critical, it’s the lost practices that are the most devastating. That’s got to be a huge advantage for NC State, who are on a two game losing streak but with both contests coming by less than 5 points.
The Wolfpack have scored an upset win over North Carolina and have held on to beat Boston College, while also suffering losses to Clemson and Miami over their last four. The 74-70 loss at Clemson was just the second road game of the season so far for NC State, their first resulting in an 80-69 defeat at St. Louis as +5 point underdogs.
The NCAAB NC State at Florida State should be a higher scoring one, as it features two of the top five offenses in the ACC. Devon Daniels has a couple of 18+ point outings in his last four, 6’10” D.J. Funderburk has 20+ in two of the last three and grabbed 11 boards vs. Miami, while Jericole Hellems went for 20+ in the win over BC. That’s some good potential.
Seminoles Anxious to Play
The big question ahead of Wednesday’s matchup is what kind of rhythm Florida State will have coming out of the gates. The team should be well rested, but will they also be too amped up after having the car in the garage the last two weeks?
The Seminoles being fresh should give them an advantage on defense, as they have a top 45 team in opponents shooting percentage. 7’1″ Balsa Koprivica has the size to match up with Funderburk and 6’11” Manny Bates, and FSU has great length at the wings with with 6’5″ MJ Walker, 6’9″ Scottie Barnes, and 6’6″ Anthony Polite.
FSU has won 5 of the last 6 in this series, including 67-61 in last year’s sole meeting. Two Seminoles players from that win are off to the NBA now though.
Free NCAAB NC State at Florida State Pick
If the Seminoles had played a regular schedule over the last two weeks, giving the -3.5 would look like a bargain at home. There’s just too many unknowns after the long layoff though, and an NC State outright win wouldn’t be a shocker, let alone covering the number.
NC State 74 – Florida State 68
Free Pick: NC State +3.5
