No. 13 Florida State basketball vs. No. 19 LSU: preview and game thread

No. 13 Florida State (4-0) started the AdvoCare Invitational with a convincing 81-63 over UAB. Terance Mann led four Seminoles in double-digits with 17. Trent Forrest led the team in rebounds with a career-high 11, but he uncharacteristically turned the ball over six times (more than his first three games combined).

The ’Noles now face No. 19 Louisiana State (5-0), who advanced in the winner’s bracket with a slim 67-55 victory over Charleston. In fact, the Tigers have won their last four by 12 or fewer.

LSU is really solid offensively (19th nationally in efficiency), making 62% of its 2’s. The Tigers are also good on the offensive glass, grabbing 37% of their misses. The other side of the ball doesn’t tell as pretty a story for Will Wade’s squad. They’re 112th in defensive efficiency, and if FSU’s able to protect the ball, the Seminoles should be able to score enough to win.

FSU is a 4-point favorite in Las Vegas after being bet down the 5.5 point opening line. Ken Pom has the ’Noles winning a 81-75 contest. The winner will face Villanova in Sunday’s final.

The game is set to tip at 4:30 pm and is scheduled to air on ESPN2.