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FSU Basketball: 3 ways to victory for Noles against Virginia Tech

By Kelvin Hunt

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 24: Head coach Leonard Hamilton of the Florida State Seminoles reacts against the Michigan Wolverines during the second half in the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament West Regional Final at Staples Center on March 24, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 24: Head coach Leonard Hamilton of the Florida State Seminoles reacts against the Michigan Wolverines during the second half in the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament West Regional Final at Staples Center on March 24, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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FSU basketball needs a win over Virginia Tech to secure the No. 4 seed in the ACC Tournament. I discuss three ways to victory.

FSU basketball (23-6, 11-5 ACC) moved up to No. 14 in the polls after its gritty win over NC State Saturday afternoon.

They’ll be taking on No. 15 Virginia Tech (22-6, 11-5 ACC) Tuesday night at 7 p.m. in the Tuck Center with the game airing on ESPNU.

The winner gets the No. 4 seed and the double-bye in the ACC Tournament. FSU is winners of four of its last five and with Virginia Tech reflecting the same success over that stretch.

Virginia Tech is a good defensive team that employs a lot of zone and can shoot it very well offensively. They connect on 39 percent from long-range and shoot 47 percent as a team overall.

Virginia Tech typically will not beat itself as they only average 11.5 turnovers per game and knock down free throws at a 76 percent clip.

3 Ways To Victory

  • Limit Turnovers-Virginia Tech will not try to go up and down the floor with the Noles so possessions will be limited. Therefore, turnovers have to be kept to a minimum as its something the Noles struggled with against NC State.
  • Don’t Fall In Love With The Three-You’ve heard me preach this all year. Stop forcing so many three-pointers. If the three is open for players like Phil Cofer, M.J. Walker, Terrance Mann and Mfiondu Kabengele or Devin Vasell that’s fine. Otherwise, I’d like to see FSU attack the zone with cuts to the basket off-screen and slips. Virginia Tech doesn’t have a ton of rim protectors like the Noles, so going to the free throw line where FSU makes 74 percent of those is a good thing.
  • Rebounding-The Noles HAVE to crash the boards in this game. As I mentioned, the possessions could be limited a bit so not allowing any offensive rebounds will be key especially with how the Hokies shoot it from deep. On the flip side, FSU should crash the offensive boards since Virginia Tech isn’t looking to run in transition a ton.

Final Thoughts

FSU basketball is a four point favorite against the Hokies. The Noles are extremely tough to beat on their home floor and it’ll be senior night for Terrance Mann, Phil Cofer, Christ Koumadje, P.J. Savoy and David Nickels.

Must Read. 3 Takeaways from 'Noles win against NC State. light

Just exercise patience in the half-court and get in transition at every opportunity. FSU usually plays well defensively, so as long as they don’t beat themselves with careless turnovers or just an off shooting night they should be fine unless Virginia Tech is on fire from long-range like NBA Jam.

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