FSU Basketball ACC Tournament Preview: vs. Louisville

Here’s a preview of FSU basketball and their upcoming week of games scheduled for play during the 2018 ACC basketball tournament.

After just about four months of games ranging from the highest of highs in beating ranked teams to several games that the FSU basketball team should still be kicking themselves about losing, the Seminoles have finally entered the postseason as they are in Brooklyn for the latest addition of the Atlantic Coast Conference’s postseason fun.

For head coach Leonard Hamilton’s team, the resume is still looking somewhat okay for a trip to the NCAA Tournament for a second straight season – but the Noles know that they can not afford a one and done stay inside the Barclays Center if they want to cement their spot in March Madness when the teams are announced this coming Sunday.

Florida State Seminoles Basketball

Here’s our recap of last week’s action and a preview of this week for the Seminoles.

Last Week Recap

FSU basketball was on the road for the second straight game last Wednesday, taking on a ranked Clemson team that they had beaten already once this season. However, there would be no sweep as the Tigers dominated for much of the game, pulling away with a 76-63 victory. Phil Cofer led all Seminoles with 21 points while the team shot just 42 percent from the field.

On Senior Day last Saturday, the Noles found themselves hoping to avoid getting swept when they faced a Boston College team who gave them an embarrassing loss earlier in the season. Trailing late in the game, Florida State ended on an 18-4 run that sealed a 85-76 victory – with Trent Forrest and senior Braian Angola leading the Seminoles with 21 points each.

Opponent Preview

The ACC action will start off at noon on Wednesday when the Seminoles face a Louisville Cardinals team for the third time this season. Both teams won on each other’s home court this season by four points in each contest – while the men in bright red come to Brooklyn losers of four of their last five games that included a buzzer beater loss to top ranked Virginia.

Speaking of those Cavaliers, the winner of Wednesday’s opener will get to play at the same time Thursday against those top ranked men from the commonwealth. Virginia’s story has been the same for years under Tony Bennett – put you to sleep with defense. It worked when they played FSU basketball as the Noles blew a double-digit lead and lost 59-55 inside the Tucker Center.

Interesting Fact

Recent history is on the side of FSU basketball to at least move on to Thursday, as the Seminoles have not lost an opener of the ACC tournament since the 2011 edition when they lost to Virginia Tech by one point.

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The Noles will also be the No. 8 seed for the first time since the 2002 tournament in Atlanta – when they beat Clemson in the opener before getting destroyed by top seed and eventual national champ Maryland.