FSU vs. Miami Prediction, Game Preview

FSU vs. Miami prediction and game preview. The Seminoles hope to break a two-game skid, while the Hurricanes will look to continue their momentum following their upset win over UNC.

FSU vs. Miami Game Preview

When: Wednesday, Feb. 1 – 8 p.m. ET
Where: Watsco Center, Coral Gables, FL
TV Broadcast: ACC Network

Leonard Hamilton’s Seminoles (18-4, 6-3 ACC) are scuffling after dropping two straight games following their unprecedented 5-1 mark over six straight games against Top 25 opponents. The latest setback was an 82-72 road loss to Syracuse on Saturday. The defeat came on the heels of its 78-56 loss at Georgia Tech on Wednesday night. FSU came out flat once again, allowing Syracuse to dominate the first half and hold an 18-point lead at halftime.

Meanwhile, Jim Larrañaga’s Hurricanes (14-6, 4-4) have won back-to-back games, including their relatively easy win at home against North Carolina. Freshman Bruce Brown scored a career-high 30 points on just 11 shots, and the Hurricanes’ zone defense caused major problems for the Tar Heels in a 77-62 win on Saturday to end UNC’s seven-game win streak.

The Hurricanes swept FSU last season, with the second of two wins giving Larrañaga his fourth 20-win season in five years as the Hurricanes’ head coach.

FSU Wins If …

… Star sophomore guard Dwayne Bacon, who scored 19 points in the Syracuse loss, leads an inspired bounce back effort. Bacon has not been the issue in the Seminoles’ losses this season—with the exception of his 4-of-15 shooting performance against Georgia Tech. But no ‘Nole seemed to show up for that one, as the team shot 20-of-71 from the field. Bacon has been one of the steadiest players in the ACC in ’16-17.

The 6-foot-7 Florida native has scored at least 10 points or more in a conference-best 30 straight games, but shooting woes as a whole have plagued this team. After their poor-shooting effort against the Yellow Jackets, the ‘Noles connected on just 38.3 percent of their shots against Syracuse. That won’t get it done against the Hurricanes. Strong play from the outset, which FSU has shockingly been missing in the last two games, should set the tone for a better fate.

Miami Wins If …

… The Hurricanes’ defense is as effective as it was against UNC. The Tar Heels’ point total was 27 below their season average, and they shot just 35 percent from the floor. Miami was aggressive in attacking the basketball against a bigger team, especially in the lane. Expect another aggressive effort, but FSU counters with a lot of depth. Eleven Seminoles average at least 10 minutes per game.

Miami also out-rebounded UNC, 41-36, which is crazy considering that the Tar Heels lead the nation in rebounding. Can Miami keep up its aggressiveness against the ‘Noles?

Matchup To Watch

FSU three-point shooting vs. Miami zone defense

The long-range accuracy of Xavier Rathan-Mayes and especially Jonathan Isaac—whose length could be a big asset—is vital for the Seminoles against the Miami zone defense. UNC’s Joel Berry II and Kenny Williams went 1-of-16 from the floor, including 0-of-9 from 3-point range, against this defense on Saturday. FSU will not be able to break its skid without navigating Miami’s vexing zone.

Betting Odds

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