No. 16 FSU basketball vs. No. 8 North Carolina: How to watch, preview, point spread, game thread

Florida State opened as 7.5 point underdogs in today’s top-20 matchup at North Carolina, as the Seminoles look to make it 9 wins in a row for the first time in program history. FSU is on the road for its third consecutive game. It’s scheduled to tip-off is at 3:45 pm in Chapel Hill. The game can be found on CBS.

UNC enters today’s contest off a demolition vs. a Zion-less Duke Blue Devils by 16 points on the road Wednesday night. The Tar Heels look to stay at the top of the ACC standings (they’re currently in a three-way tie with Virginia and Duke), while the Seminoles are tied with Syracuse for 4th and looking to earn the coveted double-bye in the ACC tournament.

This game should be exciting, as both teams like to play fast, especially North Carolina, who’s 4th nationally in adjusted tempo (KenPom). The ’Noles have the 25th best offense, while the Tar Heels possess the 12th best defense. On the other end, UNC has the 7th best O, while FSU has the 17th best D.

Florida State still struggles with turning the ball over (238th), although the Seminoles have been a bit better in conference play. They can’t afford live-ball TOs this afternoon, as UNC loves to get out and run.

The other key in this one is Florida State’s defensive rebounding (121st) vs. North Carolina’s offensive rebounding (25th). If the ’Noles can keep the Heels off the offensive glass, they have a great shot to pull off the upset in Chapel Hill. Christ Koumadje and Mfiondu Kabengele will be key in this effort, although the guard will have to pitch in, as well. Kabengele, the front-runner for ACC 6th man of the year, should be a matchup problem on the other end, as well.

Ken Pomeroy projects UNC to win 83-75.

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