Seminoles vs. Cavaliers Prediction
A high-profile matchup is on tap this afternoon as the ninth-ranked Florida State Seminoles play at the fifth-ranked Virginia Cavaliers. Can Florida State keep it close enough to cover today?
Game Snapshot
655 Florida State Seminoles at 656 Virginia Cavaliers
Saturday, January 5, 2019
John Paul Jones Arena at 3PM ET
TV: ESPN2
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Public Betting Information
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, the Cavaliers are an 8.5-point favorite on the spread line. The total is set at 130.5 points. As of Saturday morning, 54 percent of public bets are siding with visiting Florida State. Check out our College Basketball Public Betting Page for up-to-date information.
Seminoles race past Winthrop
Florida State secured an 87-76 home win last Saturday over Winthrop to improve to 12-1 on the season. The Seminoles led 52-36 at halftime en route to the victory. Florida State shot 30-of-64 from the floor, 8-of-22 from 3-point range and 19-of-29 at the free throw line. Terance Mann paced FSU with 22 points on 10-of-11 shooting including 2-of-3 from 3-point range and 0-of-3 at the free throw line. Phil Cofer contributed 14 points, three assists and two rebounds. Mfiondu Kabengele tallied 10 points, four blocked shots, two rebounds and two steals off the bench. David Nichols added 10 points and two steals as a reserve.
Cavaliers stay undefeated
Virginia hit the century mark in points last Saturday with a 100-64 home win over Marshall. Kyle Guy paced the Cavaliers (12-0, 7-0 at home) with a game-best 30 points on 10-of-14 shooting including 7-of-9 on 3-pointers plus 3-of-3 at the free throw line. He also pulled down eight rebounds. Ty Jerome registered 14 points, four assists, three boards and three steals. Jay Huff had 14 points to go with eight rebounds, two assists and two blocks. De’Andre Hunter added 11 points, five rebounds and three dimes. Virginia doubled up the Thundering Herd 50-25 at halftime on its way to the rout. The Cavs shot 33-of-62 from the floor, 12-of-27 from 3-point distance and 22-of-26 on free throws.
College Basketball Betting Trends
Florida State
The Seminoles are 3-0-1 ATS in their last four Saturday games. Florida State is 4-1-1 ATS in its last six road games.
Virginia
The Cavaliers are 6-1 ATS in their last seven games overall. Virginia is 5-1 ATS in its last six home games.
Prediction:
The Seminoles have only played one true road game this season, an 80-69 victory at a weak Tulane squad. Florida State has five other neutral site games, but that isn’t the same. It’s not a great formula heading into a very tough matchup at Virginia. The Cavaliers are top eight nationally in both offensive and defensive adjusted efficiency and I think they will be strong on both ends to cover the spread today versus FSU.
NCAA DAILY PREDICTION: VIRGINIA CAVALIERS -8.5