ACC in NCAA Tourney Breakdown: 10) FSU vs. 11) VCU

Posted by Brandon Rink on March 24, 2011 under ACC Basketball | Comments are off for this article

Bernard James and the 'Noles are still dancing against a VCU team that has already upset three teams. (Per OrangeandWhite.com)

Will FSU keep their run up against a dangerous VCU team?

(10) Florida State Seminoles vs. (11) Virginia Commonwealth Rams, 9:57 (EST), TBS, San Antonio TX

Coaches Tourney Records: VCU – Shaka Smart – 3-0 (0-0 in Sweet 16); FSU – Leonard Hamilton – 5-5 (0-1 in Sweet 16).
Seminole That Has to Step up: F Bernard James – He posted a double-double and led the ‘Noles in scoring against Notre Dame (3 blocks too)….he matches up with VCU’s top big man in 6′9 240 Jamie Skeen on Friday.
FSU Has to Stop: Bradford Burgess (14.1 ppg, 6.4 rpg) – Burgess went off on Purdue with 23 points – hitting 8 of his 12 shots (3/4 on 3-pointers) and grabbing 8 boards.
What I’m Thinking…: You know you get to a certain point when you’ve picked against a team in three straight games – wrong in two of the three cases. Am I good luck for the ‘Noles? Should I go with the hot ‘Noles here now? Would I be overlooking another underdog in VCU?

Thinking it out – FSU is the better team when they play like they did against Notre Dame. They will be an imposing defensive force that VCU hasn’t seen up to this point in the tournament. This ‘Noles team has experience that won’t  be phased by the new neutral site experience, where as VCU’s coach and team haven’t been on this stage two weeks in a row. We’ll play it safe with the higher-seeded ‘Noles perilously against VCUpset.

Pick: ‘Noles 64-60