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Florida State vs Duke: ACC Conference Championship Predictions

Written March 15, 2009 by Jordan Haimowitz

duke-florida-state-predictions-031509 Florida State’s headline upset yesterday over the #1 ranked Tar Heels can be explained in two words. Toney Douglas. The All-Conference point guard is in my opinion the best defensive guard in the nation and is playing basketball at its highest level. Florida State has taken themselves off people’s sleeper team prediction for the tourney and is now very much on the every body’s radar. Today’s game will be quite different however for FSU to prepare for, I will explain in precise detail why. While UNC plays a run and gun high tempo game, The Blue Devils are a superior defensive team who plays a half court set most often. Since UNC took so many quick shots it gave FSU the liberty not to always have to get back on defense due to the fact they rarely had to match up against a half court set. FSU is also a very good defensive team. So going toe to toe in a grind it out game is something The Seminoles faced on more then one occasion this year. In fact FSU gave up one less point per game this year then Duke did, although, the Blue Devils averaged 10 more PPG then the Seminoles. The X-factor for them with the exception of Toney Dougles having to play well is whether or not Chris Singleton, Solomon Alabi or whoever ACC Coach Of The Year Leonard Hamilton decided to put on Kyle Singler can do the job. If they contain Singler, The Seminoles have a real chance to win this thing. A very tough task though. Odds makers have Duke as 6 point favorites over Florida State.

While Duke let me down yesterday costing me the perfect day I was hoping for, they have been playing nice ball as of late. While the game was close through out against Maryland yesterday afternoon, late second half Duke opened up a 13 point lead and seized control. Future NBA first round pick, Duke’s star F/C Kyle Singler is playing a masterful tournament and if Duke were to take the ACC Tournament crown, it will be because of him. Duke averaged 78 PPG this year. Rumor has it that no matter what if Duke wins they will not get a #1 seed. I think that is absolutely atrocious. Duke has a very well balanced core of players. Scheyer is a stone cold three point shooter, Henderson is an all around play maker, Paulus is the heart and soul while Singler is as mentioned, the main factor. While the Tar Heels may be the more talented team, it is Duke that presents a tougher game for FSU. Nolan Smith or Greg Paulus have the ability to guard Douglas and Singler can guard who ever Coach K puts him on. While I am certainly not the head of Duke’s fan club, I know who plays well in what situation’s and so often it is the coach’s experience that relates to the players which gives them that extra, how do you say “IT FACTOR”. If the Blue Devils are not the ones hoisting the ACC tournament trophy tomorrow afternoon it will be because they prevented themselves from letting it happen.

Haimo’s Hot Notes: The two teams have met twice this year with Duke winning both games. The Blue Devils average more points, shoot better from the field and average more rebounds a game then the Noles. Kyle Singler has Duke on a mission, the Blue Devils will be crowned ACC Tournament Champions and Singler will be named tourney MVP. FSU will most certainly not be an easy out come next week’s March Madness but today will not be their day to shine. Duke has answers for Douglas and Alabi, FSU has no answers for Singler and Henderson will be tough for them to slow down. Take Duke and lay the 6 points.

Florida State is 18-8-1 ATS this year
Duke is 15-15-1 ATS this year

Betting Line: Duke -6

Jordan’s Pick: Take Duke -6

A bounce back night yesterday was going 2-1 and once again hitting my best bet. Make sure to check betfirms.com for all your Tournament Championship free picks and advice.

Jordan’s Record To Date:
7-7 overall (adjusted from yesterdays typo)
4-1 Best Bets

If you want to get more out of your college basketball betting this year be sure to check out even more NCAA basketball picks from our expert handicappers. We’ve also compiled a list of NCAA basketball odds from the top sportsbooks so that you are sure to get the best lines on every wager you place this season.