No one expected the Missouri Tigers to be an NCAA Tournament team in Cuonzo Martin’s first season on the job, especially not after Michael Porter Jr. went down with an injury. However, the Tigers scratched and clawed their way to some big wins in SEC play and ended up surprising a number of observers by making it here.
With Porter back in the lineup, there’s a lot of buzz surrounding the Tigers. However, they will be without another key player when they take on the Florida State Seminoles in one of the final first round games.
Missouri’s second-leading scorer Jordan Barnett was suspended for at least the Florida State game by Martin on Monday. Barnett was arrested on suspicion of DWI and is not allowed to participate in any team-related activities all week. He would be available for the Xavier game if Missouri were to win here though.
This war on the floor will go down Friday, March 16, 2018, at 9:50 p.m. ET at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. The game will be televised live on TBS. We'll have NCAA basketball odds at BookMaker.eu available for this and every game throughout March Madness.
Opening NCAAB Basketball Betting Odds at BookMaker.eu
Missouri +1
Florida State -1
Over/Under 148
Mizzou didn’t pick up a quality win in non-conference play, but the SEC was strong enough that the Tigers were able to go dancing after a strong two-week run that saw them knock off Alabama, Kentucky, and Texas A&M. The CBB betting odds have gone against the Tigers since the spread came out though. Missouri was a one-point favorite initially, but now the team is a one-point underdog.
Leonard Hamilton doesn’t get enough credit for the job that he does at Florida State. The Seminoles have never been a basketball power, but he has consistently made this team competitive in the ACC. Even though they lost three players to the NBA this season, they went 9-9 in conference. FSU was ice cold to close out the season though, going 2-8 ATS per the college basketball betting lines in their last 10.
Player to Watch
All eyes are going to be on Michael Porter Jr. in this one. Porter was the No. 1 recruit in the country last year, and he is expected to start in place of Barnett.
It’s been a disappointing year for Porter, but at least he will get to take part in the NCAA Tournament. He has been sidelined for almost the entire season with a back injury, but he was able to play in the SEC Tournament against Georgia.
Porter was one of the most talented high school players in the nation, and it will be interesting to see how he does against the Seminoles. He is a 6’10 forward with a good number of low post moves that will be tested by FSU.
Key Stat
Usually Hamilton’s teams are very sound defensively, but this season has been the exception to the rule. Instead, the Seminoles have relied on their offense to win games.
Florida State’s offense might just be the best it has been under Hamilton, even without the star players from last season. Terance Mann and Phil Cofer have had big seasons for the Seminoles, and a number of young players have gotten better throughout the season.
Free March Madness ATS Picks
The line has gone in FSU’s favor, and the advantage the Seminoles have in depth is a big reason why. Not having Barnett is going to be huge for Missouri, who have relied on him to pick up minutes as a couple reserves have gone down with injuries. The Seminoles have no such woes and go 10 deep at times, keeping their big men fresh. That will help FSU pull out a narrow victory over Missouri in this one.
NCAAB Basketball Betting Odds: Florida State 77, Missouri 74
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