The last time Florida State earned a bid to the NCAA Tournament, “Saving Private Ryan” was the best movie of that particular year, which happened to be 1997. The Seminoles all but wrapped up the bid for this season Saturday, with a 73-66 victory over then
2009-03-03
The last time Florida State earned a bid to the NCAA Tournament, “Saving Private Ryan” was the best movie of that particular year, which happened to be 1997. The Seminoles all but wrapped up the bid for this season Saturday, with a 73-66 victory over then-No. 12 Clemson. Will the Seminoles be thrilled to finally know they are in or will they stay hungry and look to earn a better seed, which would likely happen with a win at Cameron Indoor Stadium? Check out the GAME MATCHUP for the latest info on this key ACC clash.
In determining if Florida State is a good potential play; have to look at the facts. The Seminoles are 22-7 (15-7 ATS) and are led by their outstanding guard Toney Douglas. The 6’1 senior has scored 20 or more points in 11 of his last 13 games as Florida State has won six of last eight contests (5-3 ATS). The Noles start the country’s tallest team and are incredibly long, though have limitations in terms of true scoring options beyond Douglas, who will receive a healthy number of votes for ACC Play of the Year.
Sportsbook.com has Florida State on the receiving end of 12-points, with a 139.5 total in Durham. This will be Duke’s last home, as Greg Paulus and David McClure say goodbye to the adoring Blue Devil fans in their final game. It would seem that should be enough for Duke to take down FSU, however, no matter how much coach Mike Krzyzewski pleads with this squad to focus on today, the bigger game is revenge-filled Sunday in Chapel Hill.
Florida State is among the better road teams in the country at 10-4 and is 9-3 against the spread, though they have lost two of last three on the ACC road. They are 7-3-1 ATS as road underdogs and even better at 13-4-2 against the number in conference play.
Containing forward Gerald Henderson will be important, as he has had a superb junior season and might also be playing his last game with the white and blue clad Dukies. The Blue Devils are 15-1 at home with 7-7 ATS record. They have won four in a row since losing back to back contests to the Tar Heels and Boston College and are 42-24 ATS off a road conference win, like the one they fashioned at Virginia Tech 72-65 as six-point favorites last Saturday.
Two wins to close the season assures Florida State no worse than a second place finish in the ACC, which would be their best in 16 seasons. They lost at home to Duke earlier this season, 66-58 as 9.5-point home favorites and have really gained the respect of oddsmakers, having the spread adjust just 2.5-points despite playing in front of the Cameron crazies.
The Seminoles won their last trip into Duke two seasons ago, their first in 16 tries and they are 6-3 ATS in last nine meetings there, with the underdog 8-2 ATS.
This ACC encounter will start at 8 Eastern.
StatFox Power Line – Duke by 9
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