The No. 9 Florida State Seminoles (21-11) challenge the No. 1 Xavier Musketeers (29-5) in the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament at Bridgestone Arena. The game is scheduled to begin at 8:40 p.m. ET on Sunday, March 18, 2018.
Florida State Seminoles vs. Xavier Musketeers ATS Prediction
In the First Round, the Seminoles topped the No. 8 Missouri Tigers, 67-54. The Seminoles forced 16 turnovers and had a free throw rate of 0.367 (above their season average of 0.247). With 14 points on 4-for-10 shooting, Mfiondu Kabengele was Florida State’s leading scorer.
The Musketeers won big over the No. 16 Texas Southern Tigers in the First Round, 102-83. Xavier’s 31.3 offensive rebounding percentage was their biggest strength over Texas Southern, who had a mark of 22.0. The Musketeers’ mark was above their season average of 30.0, while the Tigers’ was below their season average of 28.7. J.P. Macura was the game’s high scorer with 29 points on 11-for-16 shooting.
This battle figures to be a high-scoring affair as a pair of the NCAA’s top offenses battle. Xavier ranks ninth with 117.5 points per 100 possessions and Florida State is 55th (111.9).
Florida State Seminoles vs. Xavier Musketeers Betting Pick
Basketball Prediction: SU Winner – Florida State, ATS Winner – Florida State, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
Florida State ranks 132nd in three-pointers attempted per game (22.5) while Xavier ranks 289th in three-pointers allowed per game (25.9).
The Seminoles rank 59th in assists per game (15.3) while the Musketeers rank 210th in assists allowed per game (14.3).
Florida State ranks 16th in blocks per game (5.2) while Xavier ranks 163rd in blocks allowed per game (3.6).
The Musketeers rank 20th in rebounds allowed per game (31.2) while the Seminoles rank 164th (35.0).
Florida State averages 6.8 steals per game, which ranks 84th in the nation. Xavier ranks 181st in steals allowed per game (6.7).
Bettings Trends:
The Seminoles have been outscored by an average of 3.8 points in their last five games. For the season, Florida State has defeated opponents by an average of 7.5 points.
During their last five games, the Musketeers have scored an average of 82.2 points per game (2.6 below their season average) and allowed an average of 70.8 points per game (3.9 below their season average).
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