FSU basketball (2-0) has gotten off to a strong start with two wins over the past week to open the 2024-25 season. They defeated Northern Kentucky and Rice and will look to continue their winning ways Tuesday night when hosting Tarleton State.
According to DraftKings, the Noles are huge betting favorites at -16.5, with a 146.5 total for the over/under. Those odds imply an 80-67 win for FSU.
The game will begin at 7 p.m. at the Tucker Center and air on ESPN+/ACC Extra.
The Noles are led by leading scorer Jamir Watkins (23.5 ppg) and Taylor Bol Bowen's 6.5 rebounds. FSU has gotten it done offensively off of their defensive effort, forcing 15+ turnovers in both games. They haven't shot it well from behind the three-point line, but they've been a force inside the paint.
They need to improve their rebounding and free-throw shooting and their accuracy from long-range. Tarleton State has lost both their games by 25+ points against SMU and Sam Houston. They have two guys averaging double figures. They only average 62 ppg but are shooting 40 percent (10 of 25) from three-point range in the first two games. That's a defensive area FSU has struggled in recent years, so they'll need to avoid allowing the Texans to get hot from three-point land.
This game should be a good warm-up with the No. 20 rival Florida Gators on deck Friday night. FSU has lost the last three contests in the series and will look to end that streak.