Notre Dame Basketball: Staff Picks - Florida State Round 2

Pat Rick, Editor (7-4) (13-11)

Previous Picks: Notre Dame 83 - Wake Forest 79 (Michigan State L, Dayton W, Rhode Island W, Northwestern L)

Florida State Seminoles 87 - Notre Dame Fighting Irish 74

“I dearly, DESPERATELY hope I'm wrong here, because this would be a huge, badly-needed win. But FSU has been eviscerating opponents recently (won back-to-back games against NC State and Clemson by a combined 72 points) and the Irish needed to shoot 15-21 from 3-point range last time the two teams met just to lose by 3 (and losing by 3 was the product of some last-minute miracle shots falling, at that). I think the Irish start strong but fade down the stretch due to FSU's size and athleticism. Also Jonathan Isaac is gonna do something cool, I'm positive.”

BONUS PICKS

No.1 Gonzaga @ No.20 St. Mary’s - St. Mary’s
No.5 Oregon @ USC - Oregon
Cal @ No.9 Arizona - Arizona
No.2 Villanova @ No.24 Xavier - Villanova

Jeff Czerniakowski, Staff Writer (8-3) (11-13)

Previous Picks: Notre Dame 78 - Wake Forest 70 (Michigan W, Dayton W, UMass L, Northwestern L)

Notre Dame Fighting Irish 83 - Florida State Seminoles 80

“Finally Notre Dame got back in the win column against Wake Forest. I think this momentum and confidence carries over against Florida State. FSU has proven to be a much worse team playing on the road. This will play into Notre Dame's favor. Big Shot Steve Vasturia clinches it late for a 3 point win.”

BONUS PICKS

No.1 Gonzaga @ No.20 St. Mary’s - Gonzaga
No.5 Oregon @ USC - Oregon
Cal @ No.9 Arizona - Arizona
No.2 Villanova @ No.24 Xavier - Xavier

Ryan Chichester, Staff Writer (8-3) (12-12)

Previous Picks: Notre Dame 82 - Wake Forest 75 (Michigan State L, Dayton W, UMass L, Northwestern L)

Notre Dame Fighting Irish 78 - Florida State Seminoles 75

“Bonzie Colson was incredible on Tuesday night, and he is on top of his game at just the right time. He will be desperately needed against a team like FSU. The Irish played a very sloppy game in Tallahassee in their last match up with the Seminoles, so I'm looking for a more disciplined game at home in which the Irish use a more effective Steve Vasturia to secure a close and much needed ACC win.”

BONUS PICKS

No.1 Gonzaga @ No.20 St. Mary’s - Gonzaga
No.5 Oregon @ USC - Oregon
Cal @ No.9 Arizona - Arizona
No.2 Villanova @ No.24 Xavier - Villanova

Brad Wechter, Editor (7-4) (12-12)

Previous Picks: Notre Dame 75 - Wake Forest 62 (Michigan W, Dayton W, Rhode Island W, Northwestern L)

Notre Dame Fighting Irish 77 - Florida State Seminoles 71

“I'm an optimist. I think this one plays out a lot like the Louisville game. The Irish win it with free throws.”

BONUS PICKS

No.1 Gonzaga @ No.20 St. Mary’s - Gonzaga
No.5 Oregon @ USC - Oregon
Cal @ No.9 Arizona - Arizona
No.2 Villanova @ No.24 Xavier - Villanova

Bobby Norell, Editor (6-5) (12-12)

Previous Picks: Notre Dame 85 - Wake Forest 77 (Michigan W, Dayton W, Rhode Island W, Northwestern L)

Florida State Seminoles 80 - Notre Dame Fighting Irish 71

“As much as I would like to pick the Irish, I just don’t see it happening. Notre Dame had to shoot 15-21 from three in the first matchup, only to lose by three. It’s hard to expect Notre Dame to shoot that well again. If they do, I would like their chances. Florida State’s height will cause loads of trouble to an Irish team that has recently gone super small.

I don’t see Notre Dame having an answer for Jonathan Isaac. They could decide to go zone, but then that would leave open three point attempts to guys like Savoy, Bacon and Xavier Rathan-Mayes.

Last time out against Wake Forest, it was the first game I can remember all season where the big four (Vasturia, Beachem, Farrell, Colson) all showed up offensively. If that can happen again on Saturday I’ll like Notre Dame’s chances, but since we’ve seen it so infrequently I’m not banking on it.

Lastly, if Notre Dame wants any shot of winning...WEAR THE GOLD JERSEYS.”

BONUS PICKS

No.1 Gonzaga @ No.20 St. Mary’s - St. Mary’s
No.5 Oregon @ USC - USC
Cal @ No.9 Arizona - Arizona
No.2 Villanova @ No.24 Xavier - Villanova

Joshua Vowles, Site Manager (6-5) (11-13)

Previous Picks: Wake Forest 71 - Notre Dame 67 (Michigan State L, Dayton W, Rhode Island W, Illinois W)

Florida State Seminoles 84 - Notre Dame Fighting Irish 72

“Notre Dame screws the uniform up somehow.”

BONUS PICKS

No.1 Gonzaga @ No.20 St. Mary’s - Gonzaga
No.5 Oregon @ USC - Oregon
Cal @ No.9 Arizona - Arizona
No.2 Villanova @ No.24 Xavier - Villanova