FSU Basketball: 3 keys to beating Gonzaga and advancing to Elite 8
By Kelvin Hunt
Although it’s not immediate, FSU basketball has its second consecutive revenge game in the NCAA Tournament against Gonzaga.
FSU basketball is playing for one another and that’s resulted in two wins in the NCAA Tournament to advance to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2011 where they were bounced by VCU in overtime.
The year prior to that they were bounced by No. 8 seed Gonzaga in the first round. The Noles will be facing a No. 4 seed Gonzaga team Thursday night, so although it’s not immediate, FSU will be looking for some payback for that 2010 loss.
According to SBRodds.com, Gonzaga has opened as a -5.5 point favorite over the Noles.
The Noles finished as nearly six point underdogs against No. 1 seed Xavier before beating them outright Sunday night.
Gonzaga’s a solid team that averages more points and rebounds per game than FSU. They also shoot the three-pointer and free throws better too.
However, they do not face the same level of competition FSU basketball faces in the ACC conference so those numbers are skewed somewhat.
But, there’s a reason oddsmakers have them as the betting favorite over the Noles. It’s not an impossible game to win outright as FSU has athletes that defensively can cause problems for Gonzaga IF they decide they want to play defense.
The good news is they’ve decided to for large stretches in the first two games of the tournament. Let’s take a look at three major keys to FSU defeating Gonzaga and advancing to the Elite 8 for the first time since 1993.