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Florida State returns from a 5-day break to take on Georgia Tech (11-10, 3-5 ACC) today at noon in the Tucker Center. The game will be broadcast through ACC Network Extra. Vegas has FSU favored by 12 and KenPom has the ’Noles getting the win with a score of 71-61.
The Yellow Jackets boast the 12th best defense in the country according to KenPom and are holding their opponents to an effective field goal percentage of only 44.1%. Georgia Tech protects the rim well and is able to take away the ball at a high rate. Things are not as good on the other end of the floor, however, as the Yellow Jackets rank just 254th in the country in offensive efficiency. Ball control is a major issue as GT comes in at 313th in ball control, turning the ball over on 21.8% of its possessions. The Yellow Jackets do have a propensity for getting to the foul line, which is concerning due to the Seminoles’ own propensity for sending opponents there, and GT is making 69.6% of those foul shots. (KenPom)
The Seminoles should be able to exploit Georgia Tech’s inability to rebound on both ends of the floor (KenPom has the Jackets at 275th in offensive rebounding and 247th on the defensive glass) and their tendency for turning the ball over to pull away for the win.
Georgia Tech has had several key players sit out recent games due to injury. Point guard and leading scorer Jose Alvarado was out against Louisville on January 19th but has played in the Jackets’ last three games. Brandon Alston, who is shooting 40.9% from three on the season and the only player shooting above 32% from deep, only played 2 minutes against Syracuse on January 12th and has not appeared in the five games since. A hobbled Alvarado and/or a sidelined Alston would certainly make things easier for FSU.
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