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NCAA Tournament: ‘Noles Are Double Digit Favorite Over Florida Gulf Coast

By Kelvin Hunt

Dec 31, 2016; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Florida State Seminoles guard Dwayne Bacon (4) celebrates with Seminoles guard Xavier Rathan-Mayes (22) after making the game winning three point field goal as Virginia Cavaliers forward Isaiah Wilkins (21) and Cavaliers guard Darius Thompson (51) look on with two seconds left in the second half at John Paul Jones Arena. The Seminoles won 60-58. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2016; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Florida State Seminoles guard Dwayne Bacon (4) celebrates with Seminoles guard Xavier Rathan-Mayes (22) after making the game winning three point field goal as Virginia Cavaliers forward Isaiah Wilkins (21) and Cavaliers guard Darius Thompson (51) look on with two seconds left in the second half at John Paul Jones Arena. The Seminoles won 60-58. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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ncaa tournament
Dec 31, 2016; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Florida State Seminoles guard Dwayne Bacon (4) celebrates with Seminoles guard Xavier Rathan-Mayes (22) after making the game winning three point field goal as Virginia Cavaliers forward Isaiah Wilkins (21) and Cavaliers guard Darius Thompson (51) look on with two seconds left in the second half at John Paul Jones Arena. The Seminoles won 60-58. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

FSU is a double-digit betting favorite over Florida Gulf Coast in their opener in the NCAA Tournament. Will the ‘Noles cover the spread?

The NCAA Tournament is upon us with play-in games already underway, and the ‘Noles opened as -12 point favorites over Florida Gulf Coast.

FSU basketball were good to bettors this season, going 18-8-1 against the spread as favorites. The million dollar question is will the ‘Noles cover the spread in this one?

FGCU isn’t a very efficient team on offense or defense. They’re No. 82 offensively and No. 172 defensively according to Ken Pom. FSU is No. 25 offensively and No. 23 defensively.

This isn’t the same FGCU team that everyone fell in love with a couple of seasons ago, and FSU has one of the most talented teams in the country.

FGCU doesn’t shoot the three ball particularly well, and that should allow FSU fans to breathe a sign of relief.

Also, the level of competition FSU has played against is light years better than what FGCU faces night in and night out. They have eight players that average double-digit minutes played, and only one guy that averages over five rebounds per game.

FSU has 11 players that average double digits per game. The ‘Noles need to avoid stupid turnovers, make free throws and simply take good shots.

If they do those three things, there’s no reason why they shouldn’t cover the 12 point spread Vegas has on the game at the moment.

It’ll be interesting to see if that line creeps up or goes down the closer we get to tip-off.

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