It will be a battle between ACC opponents when the Pittsburgh Panthers (11-5, 1-2 ACC) welcome the No. 13 Florida State Seminoles (13-3, 1-2 ACC) to the Petersen Events Center. The game starts at 7 p.m. ET on Monday, January 14, 2019, and will air on ESPNU.
Florida State Seminoles vs. Pittsburgh Panthers ATS Prediction
The Seminoles are hoping for a better outcome after their 80-78 loss to the No. 1 Duke Blue Devils in their last contest. Duke’s effective field goal percentage was their biggest strength over Florida State. The Blue Devils had a rate of 0.546 (below their season average of 0.556), while the Seminoles posted a mark of 0.468 (below their season average of 0.520). Mfiondu Kabengele led Florida State in scoring with 24 points on 7-for-13 shooting.
In the Panthers’ last game, they were beaten by the No. 15 North Carolina State Wolfpack, 86-80. North Carolina State out-rebounded Pittsburgh. The Wolfpack had 21 offensive rebounds and 44 total rebounds, while the Panthers had nine and 34, respectively. Pittsburgh’s Au’Diese Toney finished with 17 points and six rebounds in the game.
After the Seminoles won the sole contest against the Panthers last season, 88-75, these teams will go head-to-head for the first time this year. The Seminoles had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (25.9 vs. 11.5) and had a much better free throw rate (0.617 vs. 0.313).
The aggressive Pittsburgh offense might be living from the charity stripe in this matchup. The Panthers rank seventh in the NCAA with a free throw attempt (FTA) rate of 0.319, while Florida State ranks 282nd in FTA rate allowed (0.266). It could also be a mistake-prone game for the offense of the Seminoles, which ranks 280th in ball protection (turnover percentage of 20.8 percent). They’ll be going up against the top-notch defense of the Panthers, which forces the 32nd-most turnovers in the nation (23.4 percent).
Florida State Seminoles at Pittsburgh Panthers Odds Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Pittsburgh, ATS Winner – Florida State, O/U – Over
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Notes
Betting Notes:
Florida State ranks 33rd in rebounds allowed per game (31.5) while Pittsburgh ranks 209th (37.4).
The Seminoles rank 19th in assists allowed per game (10.3) while the Panthers rank 136th (13.4).
Florida State averages 8.6 steals per game, which ranks 23rd in the nation. Pittsburgh ranks 133rd in steals allowed per game (6.9).
The Seminoles average 3.9 blocks per game, which ranks 74th in the country. The Panthers rank 160th in blocks allowed per game (5.1).
Florida State ranks 161st in three pointers attempted per game (21.8) while Pittsburgh ranks 232nd (19.5).
Bettings Trends:
The Seminoles’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 4.8, down from 9.9 for the season.
During their last five games, the Panthers have scored an average of 79.2 points per game (2.0 above their season average) and allowed an average of 73.6 points per game (7.0 above their season average).
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