FSU Basketball Preview: Noles Close Out Regular Season Against Miami

FSU basketball hosts the Miami Hurricanes in the last game of the regular season with a lot on the line for both schools.

The end of the regular season is mercifully upon us, ‘Noles fans. To close out 2017, the FSU basketball team hosts their bitter rival — the Miami Hurricanes — in the Donald L. Tucker Center. The Seminoles head into the game 23-7 and 11-6 in ACC play. They are currently fifth in the conference standings. That’s important for one reason.

The top-four teams get a double-bye to open the postseason tournament. Achieving that distinction would go a long in way in helping FSU steal the ACC crown for the first time since 2012.

Going into their final game of the regular season, KenPom ranks FSU the 18th team in the country. According to their metrics, Leonard Hamilton’s team has the 19th-most efficient offense, 27th defense.

All in all, it’s undoubtedly been a very good year for the program. And the next few weeks will decide whether that can change to a great year.

Let’s get to previewing.

Last Time the ‘Noles Took the Court

FSU traveled to Durham, North Carolina on Feb. 28 to face the Duke Blue Devils. It was a spirited performance to be sure, but it wasn’t good enough to earn the Seminoles a win.

Duke was victorious 75-70. (And if we’re being totally real, the game wasn’t that close until Dwayne Bacon started going off in garbage time.) The Seminoles went 11-for-17 from the foul-line, made just five three-pointers and shot 41.5 percent.

For an offense that’s been struggling away from home, it’s hard to decipher why PJ Savoy isn’t playing. Sure, he’s a poor defender. But he’s one of just two guys that opposing teams have to legitiamtely fear from beyond-the-arc, along with Braian Angola-Rodas. Savoy shoots 41.1 percent from three, Rodas 42.1, and nobody else (aside from Brandon Allen, who should remain glued to the bench) shoots over 37.7.

I’m one of Ham’s biggest supporters, but I can’t quite figure this one out. Oh well.

Opponent Preview

After the Seminoles walloped Miami 75-57, in Coral Gables, on Feb. 1, the Hurricanes have been hot. They are 6-2 in their last eight games, 20-9 overall and 10-7 in ACC play.

KenPom ranks them 29th in the country. They’re just 56th in offense, but as is the norm for a Jim Larranaga-coached team, they’re one of the best teams in defensive efficiency – placing 18th-overall.

Despite their poor offensive numbers, they have a few players FSU fans have to worry about. From our last preview:

"The players that Seminoles fans have to know are primarly senior guard Devon Reed, junior guard JaQuan Newton, and freshman stud Bruce Brown. All three are athletic, good defenders, and average over 12 points per game. Brown is coming off a huge performance against the Tar Heels that saw him score 30 points on just 11 shot attempts (ridiculous). He also averages seven rebounds per game, which speaks to athleticism, considering he’s just 6-foot-5 and 190-pounds."

Brown, in particular, has been absolutely spectacular recently, to the point that some ‘Cane fans are worried he might be a one-and-done. (He’s seriously that good.) Against Duke last Saturday, Brown led his team in scoring with 25 of their measly 55 points.

Hilariously, that was still enough to earn them a win. He also had four rebounds, four assists, two steals and two blocks. He is a handful, and I hope he’s in the NBA this time next year. (Seriously, kid, go make millions.)

Point spread/How to Watch

Because FSU is playing in Tallahassee and not on the road, Vegas likes their chances. According to Odds Shark, the Seminoles are -7.5 point favorites.

To watch this game, find the ACC Network on your televisions (if you’re local), or tune into WatchESPN at 4 pm ET. Go ‘Noles! Let’s end the season strong!