FSU basketball: Noles need to avoid letdown against the Canes

FSU basketball (9-2, 5-1 ACC) is playing like one of the best teams in the nation since we’ve entered the new year.

The Noles have rattled off four consecutive ACC wins and beaten two teams that were ranked in the top 25 last week.

They’ll look to keep the momentum going when they take on the Miami Hurricanes (6-8, 2-7 ACC) Wednesday at 6 p.m. on the ACC Network.

FSU basketball re-entered the AP rankings this week with a No. 16 ranking. I think they should be ranked higher than that, but a game against a team like Miami will prove if that’s the case.

The Canes have lost their last two and three of their last five games, but one of those wins came against Louisville.

FSU will enter the game as -11.5 betting favorites with an over/under of 141.5, according to the Action Network. Oddsmakers are expecting the Noles to win with a score along the lines of 77-65. ESPN’s FPI gives the Noles an 84 percent chance of winning the game, but great teams cover the spread.

The Noles are 7-4 against the spread and have covered in their last four matchups.

Thoughts on Miami

This game is one of those classic letdowns for teams that are on a roll. Miami isn’t a good team, and FSU has the advantage in almost every statistical category. However, Miami is 7-7 against the spread, so they are capable of keeping it close.

Miami doesn’t shoot it well, and they struggle from the free-throw line and defensively allow more points than their offense produces.

If FSU basketball wants to keep getting the respect they feel they deserve? They don’t need to win, but they need to demolish Miami just as they have their last few opponents.

If so, it’ll be the sixth straight win over the Canes for Leonard Hamilton. Join Chopchat on Twitter as we LIVE Tweet the game!