Florida State vs. Clemson Odds
| Florida State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+4 -115 | 137 -120o / +100u | +155 |
| Clemson Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-4 -105 | 137.5 -120o / +100u | -180 |
Florida State looks to avoid its second three-game skid of the season as it travels to match up against Clemson in an ACC clash.
It’s been a roller-coaster start for the Seminoles, who have lost two straight after putting together a six-game win streak. Florida State lost to Georgia Tech, which sits toward the bottom of the ACC standings. It followed that performance up by letting Virginia Tech hit 18-of-25 (72%) from 3-point territory in a 72-85 loss.
The perimeter defense has been a lingering issue for Florida State.
Now, the Seminoles travel to Clemson, which ranks second in the ACC in 3-point percentage. Though they’ve been hitting their outside shots, the Tigers have struggled overall, winning just two of their last seven ACC matchups.
There is value on the total in this matchup, as both offenses will own a significant advantage over the opposing defense.
Florida State Seminoles
It was a tough week for Florida State, which lost two games to inferior opponents.
Georgia Tech hit 37% of its 27 attempts beyond the perimeter en route to a 14-point victory. Virginia Tech then hit 18 of its 25 attempts from 3-point territory, which is the best mark in all of college basketball this season.
But the losses didn’t stop there. The program lost redshirt senior Malik Osborne for the season with an ankle injury. Osborne had been putting up 10 points and seven rebounds per game while hitting 36% from beyond the arc this season.
The lack of perimeter defense by the Seminoles has been an issue all season. The group allows 44% of their opponent’s shots to come from outside the arc, and they hit at an astonishing 38% clip, which ranks 329th in the country. Florida State has allowed 10 or more 3s in four of its last five games, and opponents have exceeded 40% from beyond the arc in six of the last 10 games.
Brad Brownell’s group averages 73 points per game and has been elite at snagging offensive rebounds, doing so on 33% of its misses. It will look to expose a defense that has had fouling issues and has struggled to defend the perimeter as well.
Clemson Tigers
Clemson lives and dies by the outside shot, and this matchup against Florida State couldn’t be any better. The Tigers take 38% of their shot attempts from beyond the arc and convert at the 12th-highest rate in the nation. Of the seven players who have taken more than 28 outside attempts this season, all but one hits at 35% or higher.
The sole player who doesn't meet that mark is leading scorer PJ Hall, who is putting up 15 points per game to rank in the top-15 in the ACC. Al-Amir Dawes has converted on 50-of-121 of his 3-point shots, good for 41% and the second-best mark in the conference.
But the Clemson defense has taken a massive step back from last season when it ranked among the top 20 in defensive efficiency. The program now sits at 90th and allows 67 points per game.
The Tigers have also struggled to defend the perimeter, allowing opponents to hit 33% (169th). Clemson has allowed an average of 7.7 3-point field goals per game.
Florida State vs. Clemson Betting Pick
Florida State is coming fresh off of facing the top 3-point shooting team in the ACC in Virginia Tech — a game in which it allowed a season-worst 72% on 25 outside attempts. Now, it will match up against the second-best 3-point shooting team in the conference with Clemson hitting 39% as a team.
Clemson owns a group of outside shooting threats with three players who are shooting above 40% on the season.
The magic number for Clemson this season has been 70. When the Tigers allow 70 points or fewer in ACC play, they are 3-0. But when that number is exceeded, they’re 0-6.
I trust Clemson to drain 3s in this matchup, but I don’t trust it on the defensive end of the floor. Florida State stuck with Virginia Tech down to the final minutes despite the historic shooting night from the Hokies.
I'm playing the over, as both offenses will own a significant advantage over the opposing defense. Florida State will dominate inside, and Clemson will do the same on the perimeter.
