FSU vs North Carolina: Preview, how-to-watch, Vegas line

Florida State (6-2, 2-1) fans didn’t know what to expect after a 15-day layoff, and then the ‘Noles came out and buried NC State in a historic shooting performance. Now they turn to another ACC stalwart in the North Carolina Tar Heels (8-4, 3-2).

UNC does one thing well on offense - they absolutely dominate the boards. The Tar Heels are grabbing over 42% of their own misses, which is 2nd best nationally. If they’re able to break FSU’s home ACC winning streak, that will likely be the reason.

As always, they’re loaded up front. Sophomore Armando Bacot (6-10, 240), one of four 5* prospects on the roster, leads the team at 11.4 points and 8.0 rebounds per game. He’d be the best offensive rebounder in the conference if it weren’t for a 5* freshman teammate at the position. That’s Day’ron Sharpe (6-11, 265) who chimes in with 9.7 points and 7.8 rebounds per contest. Neither are a threat to step outside, but both can dominate the paint.

The third musketeer is senior Garrison Brooks (6-10, 240), who scores 10.6 points to go along with 7.9 rebounds. He’s more of an all around player than the other two bigs, but can also bring his lunch pail and spend the day in the lane.

You have to drop to 4th on the scoring list before you find a perimeter player - 5* freshman Caleb Love. And this highlights UNC’s weakness. They can’t shoot. They’re 295th in 3-pt%, and 264th in 2-pt%. If FSU can hold their own on the glass, you have to like their chances in this one.

Defensively, UNC is a solid rebounding team and they don’t foul a lot, but aren’t spectacular like Roy Williams’ best teams. If Florida State can hit some shots and loosen things up. they should be able to score enough.

As always with UNC, expect a fun game with plenty of tempo.

The game tips from the Tuck at noon and will be broadcast on ESPN. FSU opened as a 4-point favorite.