Florida State’s once promising season took a nosedive with four straight losses. The Seminoles have been relegated to the role of spoiler over the final two weeks of the ACC season and they can put a dent in Notre Dame’s title aspirations with a win on Saturday.
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HOW THE NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH CAN COVER THE SPREAD
Notre Dame is 7-3 over its last 10 games, but its average first half deficit in those games has been eight points. The Irish have trailed by double figures three times, including a season-worst 20 points at Syracuse in late January.
Digging out of early deficits has become all too common of late. A confident, cohesive club that knows it will find its bearing and find a way to win in the second halves, the Irish have been too inconsistent, too indifferent, too just there in going through the motions to start.
A good start would be helpful for the Irish to squelch any concerns as they head to tournament time. Winning on the road in the third game of a three-game road trip wouldn’t hurt either. Notre Dame is talented enough to overcome early game struggles. As bad as the Irish have been in the first half recently, they’ve been even better in the second, never leaving them out of any game.
The Irish have one of the most efficient offensive teams in college basketball, led by point guard Demetrious Jackson, who scores a team-best 16.4 points per game, and power forward Zach Auguste. They form a lethal duo, but when they’re off, the Irish suffer.
HOW THE FLORIDA STATE SEMINOLES CAN COVER THE SPREAD
Following a disappointing road loss at Virginia Tech that brought its losing streak to a season-long four games, the Seminoles find themselves at a cross roads in their season. They are clearly good enough to be competitive; But, maybe a step away from being a contender.
Down double-digits early to Miami and Georgia Tech in that skid, Florida State used massive second half comebacks to get within striking distance. However, the Noles managed to falter away during the closing seconds each time.
FSU needs its freshman duo of Malik Beasley and Dwayne Bacon to find their late-season legs. The two seemingly hit a wall and the Noles are crashing with them. They combined for just 23 points per contest during the losing streak while shooting a lowly 33.3 percent from the field.
Finding some rebounding help after the loss of big men Phil Cofer and Michael Ojo hasn’t been easy. FSU has struggled to compete on the glass since the two went down, getting outrebounded by nearly six boards per contest. Boris Bojanovsky and Jarquez Smith have the size and must be better at snaring missed shots.
ANALYSIS AND ODDS PREDICTION
Florida State finishes with home games against the Irish and Syracuse to close the regular season, and there is little hope for the Noles to break their three-year NCAA tournament drought. Even if they were able to win out, it would take a deep run in the ACC tourney to get them back in the discussion. Not to say it can’t happen, considering FSU’s knack for the unexpected this season. Nevertheless, it would take a complete turnaround on both sides of the ball in order for the Noles to go on a late season run. While Notre Dame has struggled on the road lately with losses to Syracuse, Miami and Georgia Tech in their past four, the Irish still have a shot at moving up the ACC standings and are closing in on 20 wins. That’s enough to give them an edge in this one.
Notre Dame 75, Florida State 69
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