The Florida State Seminoles (20-10, 9-9 ACC) and the Louisville Cardinals (19-12, 9-9 ACC) clash in the Atlantic Coast Conference Tourney at Barclays Center. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 154 points with neither team favored. Action gets underway at 12 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 7, 2018, and it can be seen on ESPN.
Louisville Cardinals vs. Florida State Seminoles Betting Preview
The Cardinals were beaten by the North Carolina State Wolfpack in their last matchup, 76-69. Louisville’s Deng Adel put together a solid performance, leading both teams in scoring with 20 points on 7-for-15 shooting. North Carolina State had a turnover percentage of 5.4 (better than their season average of 14.8). Louisville, meanwhile, held the Wolfpack to an offensive rebounding percentage of 21.6 (below their season average of 34.3).
In the Seminoles’ last matchup, they beat the Boston College Eagles, 85-76. Florida State was led by Trent Forrest, who had 21 points, 10 rebounds and five assists. Florida State dominated nearly every facet of the game. They had a superb free throw rate of 0.258 (above their season average of 0.249) and an effective field goal percentage of 0.556 (above their season average of 0.539). For those same stats, Boston College had marks of 0.185 and 0.492, respectively.
This matchup pits one of the NCAA’s top offenses against one of its elite defenses. Florida State ranks 51st in offensive efficiency and Louisville is 53rd in defensive efficiency.
Games including these teams tend to go over the projected point total. Louisville games have gone over 58.6 percent of the time, while Florida State games have finished over 60.7 percent of the time. Both teams have solid straight up (SU) records (19-12 for Louisville; 20-10 for Florida State), but the Cardinals have the advantage against the spread (ATS). Louisville is 15-13-1 ATS, while the Seminoles are 13-12-3.
These two teams have met twice already this season, each winning once. Adel scored a game-high 19 points in the most recent game, in which the Cardinals lost 80-76, unable to cover as 3-point favorites. The two teams combined for 156 points, which was just 1 points above the projected point total of 155 points. Florida State had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (26.3 vs. 15.4). Louisville, meanwhile, had a better turnover percentage (14.6 vs. 15.0).
Louisville Cardinals vs. Florida State Seminoles ATS Prediction
Pick: SU Winner – Louisville, ATS Winner – Louisville, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- The Seminoles rank 23rd in blocks per game (5.0) while the Cardinals rank 76th in blocks allowed per game (3.0).
- Florida State ranks 76th in steals per game (6.8) while Louisville ranks 126th in steals allowed per game (6.2).
- Florida State averages 38.1 rebounds per game, which ranks 50th in the NCAA. Louisville ranks 241st in rebounds allowed per game (37.1).
- The Cardinals rank 126th in three pointers allowed per game (21.1) while the Seminoles rank 230th (23.6).
- Louisville ranks 27th in assists allowed per game (11.1) while Florida State ranks 110th (12.8).
Bettings Trends:
- Florida State is 0-4-1 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders in their last five games.
- Over their last five games, Louisville is 2-3 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
- The Seminoles have been outscored by an average of 1.8 points in their last five games. For the season, Florida State has defeated opponents by an average of 7.8 points.
- During their last five games, the Cardinals have scored an average of 68.4 points per game (8.2 below their season average) and allowed an average of 77.2 points per game (6.9 above their season average).
