FSU basketball vs. St. Francis (PA): Preview, how to watch, Vegas line, game thread

This is game three of the important four game tune up for the Seminoles basketball team. Matt wrote about how the ‘Noles can’t pull a Kentucky, and so far, so good.

Saint Francis (PA) has won 18 games in back-to-back seasons for the first time in 60 years. But being competitive in the Northeast Conference doesn’t mean they should give Florida State too stern of a test. The Red Flash did take Richmond to overtime earlier in the season, so hopefully that caught FSU’s attention.

The ‘Noles are likely to be short handed again. M.J. Walker and RaiQuan Gray are both doubtful, and Wyatt Wilkes injured his shoulder vs. Chattanooga.

Players to watch

Keith Braxton declared for the NBA Draft after last season, but ultimately returned to school. The 6-5 senior is a 36% career marksman from deep, and needs to improve on those numbers for the next level. He leads the team with 16.6 ppg and 7.0 rebounds and rarely comes out of games, and plays mostly with the ball in his hands.

Fellow senior Isaiah Blackman has had multiple knee surgeries yet he keeps coming back. He is a 6-1 scorer with a great shot (41% career 3-pt%) and is averaging 15.6 per game. His coach has said that if he’s open he needs to shoot it.

Reason for Red Flash optimism

This is a really good shooting team. They don’t take a ton of 3s, but they’re making over 37% of their attempts, and that’s with their two big scorers struggling a bit in the early going. 6-8 sophomore Tyler Stewart is shooting 46%, and 6-2 senior Scott Meredith is even better at 53%.

Defensively, they’re bad. The ‘Noles should be able to score in a variety of ways.

How to watch

ACC Network (Comcast says watching on the radio is just as fun) 2 PM

Who will win

Ken Pomeroy FSU 97%

T-Rank FSU 96%

Vegas line FSU -22