Florida State vs. Virginia: 2019 ACC Tournament game preview, TV schedule

Florida State needed overtime to move into the semifinals, while No. 1 Virginia put on a second-half clinic to breeze by N.C. State.

TV Schedule: Friday, March 15, 7:00 p.m. ET, ESPN

Arena: Spectrum Center, Charlotte, N.C.

For about 20 minutes on Thursday afternoon, it looked like the Virginia Cavaliers were in a fight in the quarterfinal round of the 2019 ACC Tournament. While Virginia started hot, well, specifically junior guard Kyle Guy, the Hoos eventually went ice cold in the first half and the Wolfpack went on a run. Every time UVa would get close, N.C State would ahead and led by two at the half.

Well, the second half was a completely different story as the Cavaliers went on one of those classic Virginia runs and outscored the Wolfpack by 20 in the second half to cruise to an easy win and a trip to the semifinals. Guy was outstanding, scoring 29 points and connecting on seven of nine from beyond the arc but it was the performance of senior center Jack Salt that stood out. Salt scored a career-high 18 points and was essential in helping Virginia pull away early in the second half.

On Friday evening, the top-seeded Wahoos will meet fourth-seeded Florida State. The Seminoles are arguably the hottest team in the ACC at the moment. After beginning conference play 1-4, the ‘Noles finished the season at 13-5 in ACC play. FSU has won five in a row and 13 of its last 14 games.

The Seminoles reached the semifinals with a gritty overtime win over Virginia Tech on Thursday. Freshman guard Devin Vassell hit a well-defended three in the corner to tie the game with 4.5 seconds remaining. The Hokies were unable to score and the game went into overtime where Phil Cofer hit an improbable running floater with 1.9 seconds to break Virginia Tech’s heart and send the ‘Noles into the semifinals.

This is the second meeting of the season between the two schools as then-No. Virginia defeated then-No. 9 Florida State 65-52 back on January 5 in Charlottesville. That game was never close and if not for FSU pressuring UVa’s bench players in the waning minutes the score would have been much different. When UVa head coach Tony Bennett sat his regulars with just over two minutes remaining, Virginia led 65-36 before the Seminoles scored the final 16 points.

Back in Virginia’s January win, Guy led the Hoos with 21 points, while Braxton Key scored a career-high 20. It was an off night for Ty Jerome and De’Andre Hunter who combined to score 12 points and go four of 19 from the field. It was UVa’s defense that bewildered FSU on that day. The Seminoles didn’t have one player reach double figures.

Florida State is a much different team now. The ‘Noles have several capable scorers in Cofer, Vassell, Mfiondu Kabengele, Terance Mann and M.J. Walker. Can they use their size to frustrate Virginia? It’s important to note that two of Virginia’s big men — Jay Huff and Mamadi Diakite — have improved rapidly on the offensive end and are equipped to deal with FSU’s length.

Virginia struggled on Thursday despite winning by 20 points. Jerome scored just two points on 1 of 11 shooting, although he did dish out 10 assists. Florida State uses its outstanding length on the defensive end and caused problems for Virginia Tech’s shooters in the quarterfinals. Can they affect Guy, Jerome and Hunter from beyond the arc?

Prediction: Virginia 68, Florida State 62