The No. 8 Missouri Tigers (20-12) go head-to-head against the No. 9 Florida State Seminoles (20-11) in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament at Bridgestone Arena. The game begins at 9:50 p.m. ET on Friday, March 16, 2018.
The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 147.5 points with Florida State set as a 1.5-point favorite.
Florida State Seminoles vs. Missouri Tigers Free Prediction
The Seminoles are hoping for a better outcome after their 82-74 loss to the Louisville Cardinals in the Atlantic Coast Conference Tourney. Louisville’s 11.5 turnover percentage was their biggest advantage over Florida State, who had a mark of 15.6. The Cardinals’ mark was better than their season average of 15.0. Trent Forrest was Florida State’s high scorer with 14 points on 6-for-8 shooting.
In the Southeastern Conference Tourney, the Tigers lost a tough one against the Georgia Bulldogs, 62-60. Georgia’s 0.236 free throw rate was their largest strength over Missouri, who had a mark of 0.125. The Bulldogs’ mark was below their season average of 0.283, while the Tigers’ was below their season average of 0.292. With 20 points on 5-for-8 shooting, Jontay Porter led Missouri in scoring.
Missouri figures to have an edge on the offensive glass in this contest. The Tigers are among the nation’s elite on the offensive glass, ranking 84th in offensive rebounding percentage at 31.7 percent. Meanwhile, Florida State ranks 251st in the nation at corralling defensive rebounds with a defensive rebounding percentage of 69.9 percent. It will also be a battle of contrasting paces as the fast-paced Seminoles rank 44th in possessions per game, while the more half-court oriented Tigers rank 303rd.
Florida State is 20-11 straight up (SU), but they are just 13-13-3 against the spread (ATS). Games featuring the Seminoles have typically finished over the total (62.1 percent).
Meanwhile, Missouri owns records of 20-12 SU and 16-15 ATS. Unlike Florida State, games including the Tigers have typically finished under the total (60.0 percent).
Florida State Seminoles vs. Missouri Tigers Betting Pick
College Basketball Prediction: SU Winner – Missouri, ATS Winner – Missouri, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
Missouri averages 24.2 three-pointers per game, which ranks 73rd in the NCAA. Florida State ranks 226th in three-pointers allowed per game (23.3).
The Seminoles rank 17th in blocks per game (5.2) while the Tigers rank 139th in blocks allowed per game (3.5).
Missouri ranks 29th in assists allowed per game (11.2) while Florida State ranks 110th (12.8).
The Seminoles rank 87th in steals per game (6.7) while the Tigers rank 163rd in steals allowed per game (6.5).
Missouri averages 37.0 rebounds per game, which ranks 85th in the nation. Florida State ranks 160th in rebounds allowed per game (34.9).
Bettings Trends:
The Seminoles have been outscored by an average of 3.8 points in their last five games. On the season, Florida State has defeated opponents by an average of 7.3 points.
During their last five games, the Tigers have scored an average of 72.8 points per game (0.5 below their season average) and allowed an average of 74.4 points per game (6.3 above their season average).
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