Florida State vs Pitt Odds, Picks: Favorable Spot for Panthers

Florida State vs Pitt Odds

Saturday, Jan. 21

3 p.m. ET

ACC Network

Florida State Odds
Spread	Total	Moneyline
+7.5 -110	144.5 -115o / -105u	+260

Pitt Odds
Spread	Total	Moneyline
-7.5 -110	144.5 -115o / -105u	-330

Odds via FanDuel.

Florida State started off the season just 1-9, but has since won five of nine, with two of those wins coming against Notre Dame. Florida State completed the season sweep of the Fighting Irish with a 84-71 win on Tuesday night. Florida State will look to build on that momentum when it heads to Pittsburgh on Saturday afternoon.

Pitt was picked to finish 14th in the ACC, but finds itself in a four-way tie for second place. The Panthers are 13-6 overall and 6-2 in conference. They are coming off consecutive road wins at Georgia Tech and Louisville.

Florida State Seminoles

A trio of double-digit scorers lead the way for Florida State. Guard Matthew Cleveland is averaging 14.4 points per game and is one of the best rebounding guards in the country, averaging 8.1 boards per game. He has also shown flashes from deep, shooting 42% on 28 3-point attempts.

The volume 3-point shooter is guard Darin Green, who is averaging 14.1 points and shooting 40.9% on 7.2 3-point attempts per game. Guard Caleb Mills is averaging 13.2 points and 3.4 assists per game.

Florida State is averaging 74 points per game over its past nine games — compared to 65.4 points over its first 10 games. The Seminoles are up to 114th in adjusted offensive efficiency. Florida State is shooting 34.6% from 3, but just 48.1% on 2-point attempts. It ranks 251st in 2-point field goal percentage and 223rd in effective field goal percentage.

Florida State struggles on the glass on both ends of the floor, ranking 239th in offensive rebounding percentage and 296th in defensive rebounding percentage. Florida State gets outrebounded by 2.7 rebounds per game.

Defense has been an issue all season. The Seminoles are 206th in adjusted defensive efficiency and 323rd in defensive rating. They allow 8.4 3's per game and opponents shoot 36.1% from beyond the arc.

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Pitt Panthers

The Panthers are solid on both ends, though the offense has led the way this season. Pitt ranks 43rd in adjusted offensive efficiency and averages 74.6 points per game. The Panthers are led by guards Jamarius Burton and Blake Hinson, the fourth-highest scoring tandem in the ACC.

Burton is averaging 16.3 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game. He's also shooting 53.5% from the field. In conference, he has upped his scoring average to 19 points per game. Hinson is averaging 15.8 points and 6.4 rebounds per contest.

Point guard Nelly Cummings is averaging 10.4 points and has over a 2/1 assist-turnover ratio — 4.5 assists and 2.1 turnovers per game. Nike Sibande has provided a spark off the bench of late. Over his past five games, he is averaging 12.6 points and shooting 50% from 3.

The Panthers shoot 34.3% from 3 and rank third in the ACC with 8.8 3's per game. Hinson and Greg Elliott each have 40 3's this season and Elliott is shooting 39.2% on 5.4 attempts per game.

Pitt is holding opponents to 30% shooting from 3, which ranks 53rd nationally. It is also 40th in effective field goal percentage defense and 80th in adjusted defensive efficiency.

Pitt ranks just 184th in defensive rebounding percentage and allows 11 offensive rebounds per game. However, Pitt still outrebounds its opponents by 3.1 rebounds per game. It should have an edge on the glass against Florida State.

Florida State vs Pitt Betting Pick

Florida State has played nine games against Kenpom top-100 opponents this season.  In those games, it has lost six by double digits and two others by nine.  Now, the Seminoles head on the road to face a surging Pitt team, which Kenpom ranks 58th.

Florida State has struggled defending the 3 and Pitt should be able to take advantage. The Panthers have several shooters who can spread the floor and attack FSU from multiple angles. If the Panthers have an off shooting day, they should control the glass, particularly on the offensive end. Pitt is 9-1 this season when outrebounding its opponent.

The Panthers are 14-4-1 against the spread this season and are coming off consecutive double-digit wins. The Panthers are in a favorable spot to cover again at home, where they are 8-2 against the spread. At -9.5, I will be backing the Panthers.

Pick: Pittsburgh -9.5

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