Rockne's Roundtable

I think Notre Dame is going to be a tough matchup for Florida State.

Offensively, I think one of Brey's weaknesses as an offensive coach will be a strength. It drives me nuts watching Tyler Zeller hit jump hooks in the lane for North Carolina, because I only remember Luke Zeller's 7-foot frame hanging out on the perimeter at Notre Dame. Carleton Scott does the same thing. He's not the 7-footer that Luke Zeller is, but he's still by far the best rebounder, and yet there he is game after game, taking two to three unnecessary three-pointers per outing. Take yesterday, for example - 14 rebounds, all defensive. A guy that is capable of snagging 14 rebounds against a 7-footer can't grab one offense rebound? Maybe he's out of position.

But with that said, a guy like Scott has to be covered. Does Florida State rush one of it's two big men (in a three guard lineup) out there, or do they risk a smaller player either get shot over or backed down? And Scott can pass. The same with Tyrone Nash. Both Nash and Scott are always in unorthodox parts of the court at the offensive end, particularly when Nash brings the ball up court. I expect a guy like Scott Martin to find more shots in the lane against the Seminoles as he has the past couple of games against imposing interiors.

And regardless of how well Florida State guards the three-point line, they still have to worry about getting dragged into a shootout with the Irish. If Notre Dame makes seven three pointers, again, it's going to tighten up a mediocre FSU offense, especially in a one-and-done scenario.

But the area I think Notre Dame has the biggest advantage is at the free-throw line. Notre Dame was second in the Big East with 808 free throws attempted, and second with 587 makes. Florida State was dead last in the ACC with a percentage of just 66.3. They attempted 682 free throws and made 452 by comparison to Notre Dame's rates.

Florida State might very well win, but I don't think they're anywhere near the most dynamic team Notre Dame would have faced in the tournament. If Florida State wins, then the Irish probably didn't play very well, and will likely have beaten themselves with poor shooting/shot selection and turnovers.

IT would actually be 2.5 sloppy games back to back but I agree. I am hoping to see a Villanovaesque outing tomorrow. Lou,John, I heard somewhere last week in one of these bracket preview shows that FSU is not the same team as they were and one of their starters is out and since that time they are a .500 team. Can you guys elaborate or do I need my hearing checked?

egastro -

Florida State was missing one of their stars - Chris Singleton - for about a month leading up to the tournament with a foot injury. Singleton played 16 minutes last night against A&M and had five points. His biggest shot was a three-pointer that the Aggies coach said was the biggest shot of the game. He was limping pretty badly in the post-game press conference, but I would be very surprised if he was not on the court Sunday. Seminoles head coach Leonard Hamilton said he was reluctant to play Singleton at all, but felt he owed it to the kid because he worked so hard rehabbing in the past month. Unfortunately, for the Irish, he and his very long 6-9 frame will likely be a big factor on both ends of the court.