The Cardinals have renewed several old basketball rivalries during their very first season in the ACC. Saturday they will lock it up with an old rival from the Metro Conference days when they travel to play Florida State. Louisville has a 30-9 advantage in this series that dates back to 1976. It was Florida State who won the last game played between these teams 24 years ago in the Metro Tournament Championship game. One of my all-time favorite Cardinals “LA” Labradford Smith led Louisville in scoring in that game with 26 points. This is the last road game of the season for the Cardinals and they have been road warriors this season with a 6-3 road record. The Cardinals are in sole possession of fourth place in the ACC with a 10-5 conference record. Florida State is currently in eleventh place in the ACC with a 7-9 conference record.

The Florida State Seminoles are 15-14 this season and they have lost their last two games. FSU is averaging 67.6 points and they are shooting 46% from the field, while defensively they are allowing 67.1 points and their opponents are shooting 41.9%. Aaron Thomas leads the Seminoles averaging 14.8 points per game. Xavier Ranthan-Mayes is averaging 14.4 points, and he reeled off 30+ points in a four minute span during their last game. Montay Brandon is averaging 12 points and 5.6 rebounds, and Devon Bookert is averaging 10.4 points. Florida State is 11-5 at home.

Florida State 2014-15 Overall Rankings Offense | Defense

Florida State 2014-15 Kenpom Rankings
Overall- #99
Defense Adjustment Efficiency
-97.5 ranks 84th
Offense Adjustment Efficiency
-103.0 ranks 143rd
-Per Kenpom’s game prediction he has Louisville winning the game 65-61 based on his indexes.

Our Cardinals are 22-5 this season and are coming off of back-to-back wins. They are averaging 69.9 points and they are shooting 42.8% while defensively they are allowing 58.9 points and their opponents are shooting 38%. Terry Rozier leads the Cardinals averaging 17.7 points and 5.5 rebounds. Montezl Harrell is averaging 15.3 points, Wayne Blackshear is averaging 10.5 points, and Chinanu Onuaku is averaging 3.3 points and 5.1 rebounds.

The young Cardinals have had a lot on their plate over the last couple of weeks. But just as winning heals all wounds adversity can really strengthen the bond of a team. The guys did a great job at coming back from 13 points to gutting out a one point victory against Georgia Tech. Quentin Snider showed a lot of moxie and composure in that game and his team will need that again facing a pretty stout defensive FSU team. I think Montrezl and Terry will need to have solid outings as well. It’s clutch time and those guys plus Wayne Blackshear are going to have to guide this team.

Florida State is likely headed to the NIT barring a conference tournament win and they would like nothing more than to take some of the frustrations from a rough season out on the Cardinals. They have always been a team that plays tough at home and I expect them to play their best game of the season Saturday. Like I mentioned above the Cardinals adversity I believe has brought them closer together and given them a purpose. Really think we see an inspired team who will take FSU’s best shot and take care of business.

The Beak Prediction:
Louisville 76 FSU 60