FSU basketball: Previewing rivalry grudgematch in Coral Gables

Come seven o'clock tomorrow night, the Florida State Seminoles men's basketball (10-6) team will begin another highly anticipated contest against their rivals located at the bottom of the state. A 12-4 Miami Hurricanes team awaits the surging Seminoles in Coral Gables to renew this heated rivalry.

With three of the last five matchups being decided by a single point, Leonard Hamilton and his team look to continue their claim to bragging rights. They are led offensively by Jamir Watkins, averaging 13 points, about six rebounds, and three assists. Other key contributors include Darin Green and Primo Spears who both average double-digit points per game.

Defensively, Watkins and Green both lead the team with 1.6 steals per game. Sophomore, Baba Miller has the most blocks on the team with 19. Hamilton's starting five against Notre Dame included Miller, Watkins, and Green, as well as Jalen Warely and De'Ante Green. That has been the initial combination for much of the season, however, Hamilton is known for fostering depth and rotating his teams frequently as nine players average 15 minutes or more per game.

Key contributor Cam'ron Fletcher remains out since he suffered a season-ending knee injury against North Carolina.

The home side Miami is coached by Jim Larrañaga and led by Norchad Omier who averages 17.3 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 1.1 assists this season. Other key contributors for the Hurricanes include FSU Transfer Matthew Cleveland, Wooga Poplar, and Nijel Pack who all average double-digit points per game.

ESPN analytics favors Miami with an 80.1 percent chance of victory. The Hurricanes have only won one out of the last 10 in the rivalry series including a split of the two matchups last year. Miami has not won this contest as the home team since 2018.

Other sites also have Miami as a favorite with them favored at -5.3. The total points projected is 152.9.