Florida State women’s basketball (22-6, 12-4) has every right to feel confident heading into its battle at No. 4 Notre Dame (24-3, 15-1) Thursday.
FSU has won three straight games without injured starters Ta’Niya Latson and O’Mariah Gordon. While their availability remains uncertain, the Seminoles have found ways to win without their reliable scorers.
FSU put on one of its best defensive performances at Georgia Tech.
Sydney Bowles had a career night, scoring 32 points at point guard. Makayla Timpson, displayed her senior leadership and experience, and continues to be one of the team’ most consistent players.
Timpson has had a high field-goal percentage in the last three wins, shooting 50 percent (22 of the last 44).
The Irish showdown will be FSU’s sneak peek of the postseason for the Seminoles, who have two regular-season games left.
“Yeah, another great road test, and just obviously, it’s a situation where you want to go in with confidence and belief, and I think this game prepared us for that in terms of no matter what the adversity is, you’ve got to go in confident and believing because anything can happen,” FSU coach Brooke Wyckoff said.
The Fighting Irish are coming off a stunning double-overtime loss to North Carolina State last Sunday. After being the top-ranked team, the Irish dropped three spots in the USA Today Sports coaches poll and is looking to bounce back at the Purcell Pavilion.
If Latson and Gordon are available, it will be a highly anticipated matchup against the Irish’ top scorers and All-American candidates, Hannah Hidalgo and Olivia Miles.
Latson (26.2 ppg) and Hildalgo (24.7 ppg) are the two scorers in the country. Both are candidates to earn ACC Player of the Year and likely National Player of the Year honors.
Both offenses are top-notch. FSU is No. 2 in the country in scoring offense, and Notre Dame is ranked fourth. However, the Fighting Irish are No. 1 in the country, with a 3-point percentage of 40.57.
FSU has never beaten Notre Dame on the road. As a matter of fact, Notre Dame has won 13 of the last 14 meetings.
With momentum on their side, a victory against Notre Dame could elevate the Seminoles’ standings heading to their season finale against Duke ( 21-7, 12-4) on Sunday in hopes of clinching a Top 4 seed in the ACC Tournament. That would guarantee them a bye in the first two rounds.
FSU is in a three-way tie with Louisville (19-8, 12-4) and Duke for the fourth seed and is one game behind North Carolina for the third seed.
According to ESPN’s latest bracketology, FSU is projected to be the No. 7 seed and will face No. 10 Minnesota in the Storrs Bracket in the Birmingham region.
As crucial as these final two games are, the Seminoles have the opportunity to showcase why they could be a contender in the Big Dance.
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Peter Holland’s FSU basketball vs. Notre Dame scoring prediction
ND, 84-72: This game obviously depends on the availability of Latson and Gordon. Regardless, this game could be overwhelming for the Seminoles because of the firepower Notre Dame has led by Hidalgo and the crew.
After coming off a double-overtime defeat, the Fighting Irish will look to a strong start, shooting-wise, and the Seminoles will be put in a tough situation where they have to play catchup the ball the whole game.
FSU’s defense will be efficient and keep them in the game, but to keep with Notre Dame’s offense, which is No. 1 in the country in 3-point percentage and has lost a game at home all year.
The Seminoles cannot afford an off-shooting night and will need Latson and Gordon on the court and at their best. As explosive and resilient as the Seminoles are, I don’t think it’s good enough to take down Notre Dame in South Bend.
More: FSU basketball keeps winning without Ta’Niya Latson. That bodes well for Seminoles’ future
How to watch FSU basketball vs. Notre Dame
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Date: Sunday, Feb. 27
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Time: 8 p.m.
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Where: Purcell Pavilion, South Bend, Indiana
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TV/Stream: ACC Network
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Radio: Seminoles.com
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Date |
Opponents |
|
Sunday, Feb. 2 |
vs. Wake Forest, W 97-68 |
|
Thursday, Feb. 6 |
at Virginia, W, 101-68 |
|
Sunday, Feb. 9 |
vs. North Carolina State L, 97-74 |
|
Thursday, Feb. 13 |
vs. Louisville L, 83-69 |
|
Sunday, Feb. 16 |
at Miami W, 83-82 |
|
Thursday, Feb. 20 |
vs. Pittsburgh, 69-55 |
|
Sunday, Feb. 23 |
at No. 20 Georgia Tech at W 73-70 |
|
Thursday, Feb. 27 |
at No. 1 Notre Dame at 8 p.m. |
|
Sunday, March 2 |
vs. No. 11 Duke at 6 p.m. |
More: Texas makes history with first No. 1 ranking in the USA TODAY Sports women’s basketball poll
Peter Holland Jr. covers Florida State athletics for Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at PHolland@Gannett.com or on X @_Da_pistol.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU basketball vs Notre Dame prediction: Picks for ACC showdown tonight
