NCAA March Madness odds and Seminoles vs. Tigers betting tips

Florida State Seminoles (20-11 SU 15-14-1 ATS) vs. Missouri Tigers (20-12 SU 16-15 ATS)
DATE: 9:50 PM ET Friday March 16 on TBS
LINE: Florida State -1.5 Over/Under 147.5

While this is “only” a ninth seed vs. eighth seed opening round Big Dance game, there is no lack of drama here.

Some are picking Missouri as a dark horse with the return of Michael Porter Jr, who may be the #1 pick in the next NBA draft. He missed all of the season with a back surgery and only just returned in the last game. On top of that he will have to step up, as the team’s second leading scorer on the season in Jordan Barnett (13.7 ppg 5.9 rpg) is suspended because of a DUI over the last weekend.

Florida State was one of the many ACC teams that made the NCAA Tournament and while they are the underdog in this game, they were only .500 in conference play and have lost three of their last four games. The Seminoles are led by their offense, which can light it up, ranking 29th in the nation putting up an average of 81.8 ppg.

At Bovada Florida is at +25000 to win the NCAA Tournament and Missouri is at +5500.

This game will be the first ever meeting between these teams.

Florida State vs. Missouri key betting trends

• Florida State is 1-7 ATS in their last 8 games.
• Florida State is 8-2 ATS in their last 10 non-conference games.
• Florida State has an Over record of 5-2 in their last 7 games.
• Missouri is 1-5 ATS in their last 6 non-conference games.
• Missouri is 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games facing teams from the ACC.
• Missouri has an Under record of 8-3 in their last 11 games.

The big question is will Porter Jr. step up in this game? In the Tigers 62-60 loss to Georgia in their last game in the SEC tournament he went for 12 points and had eight boards, but was only 5/17 from the floor. Kassius Robertson led the team on the season averaging 16.9 ppg, but only had nine in the loss to Georgia and has failed to score in double figures in two of his last three games. Porter Jr’s brother in Jontay Porter averaged 10.1 ppg on the season and has gone for 39 points in his last two games. Needless to say, especially without Barnett, that the Porter brothers have to play well in this game.

Florida State stumbled down the stretch, but they have a balanced team and while no player is averaging over 13 ppg eight players are averaging over seven ppg. Terance Mann led the team on the season at 13.2 ppg, but he has only totaled 20 points in his last three games. Phil Cofer and Braian Angola are both averaging over 12 ppg, but both have been inconsistent in the Seminoles less than stellar end of the season.

Florida State vs. Missouri betting predictions

The Porters will come up big in this game and that is the key. They will score and Porter Jr. will put on a show on the national stage. Missouri will lean on these guys and their D will keep Florida State from lighting up the scoreboard. The Tigers will win and cover the spread at Bovada.