FSU basketball (9-4, 0-2 ACC) will look for its first ACC win when they host the Syracuse Orange (6-7, 0-2 ACC) on Saturday at 6 p.m. The game will air on the ACC Network.
It'll be the first game since the news broke about six former players suing Leonard Hamilton. FSU hasn't played since losing against Louisville 90-76 shortly before Christmas. The Noles were betting favorites going into that game, but the Cardinals were on fire from long range, making 15 three-pointers.
FSU will go into Saturday's matchup as -8.5 betting favorites via Fan Duel. The over/under points total is 156.5, which projects an 83-74 victory for the Noles. Both teams average north of 75 ppg. FSU is the better defensive team and shoots the three-pointer better. Syracuse has three players averaging double figures.
The key to winning this game and covering the spread will be FSU using its defense to force Syracuse into turnovers and converting those turnovers into points. FSU must keep the Orange off the offensive glass, as 28 percent of their rebounds come in that fashion. Syracuse only averages 12.5 turnovers, and they have eight guys averaging at least 19 minutes per game.
Syracuse rotates lots of guys the same way FSU does. FSU needs Jamir Watkins to be Jamir Watkins, avoid careless turnovers, and they need to make their free throws when they get to the line. If they can do those things and remain respectable from the three-point line? I like their chances to win the game. The Noles have feasted on mediocre teams so far this season, and Syracuse fits that mold to a tee.