UVA vs. Florida State Seminoles Basketball: Game Thread

What: No. 16/18 Virginia Cavaliers (18-3, 5-2 ACC) vs. No. 21/24 Florida State Seminoles (15-6, 6-1)

Time: 1:00 p.m.
Date: February 4, 2012
Place: Donald L. Tucker Center
TV: ACC Network, ESPN 3
Radio: Virginia Sports Radio Network

Spread: Florida State -5.5, Pomeroy: Florida State 57-54 (33%)
Last Meeting: Virginia 56, FSU 63
Last Time Out: FSU 68, Georgia Tech 54
Series: FSU leads 19-17

Florida State is on one of the hottest streaks in the country with a school-tying record high six straight ACC wins, including wins over North Carolina and at Duke.Their sole conference loss of the season came at the hands of Clemson, 79-59, a team Virginia narrowly escaped at home last week, 65-61.

The Seminoles have held each of their last two opponents to under 60 points (52 and 54, respectively), a feat they've done nine times this season. Look for a defensive, first-to-50-wins type of matchup today.

Virginia holds opponents to an offensive rebounding percentage of just 24.0%, fifth best in the country, while FSU has an offensive rebounding percentage of 37.1%, good for 35th in the country.

Florida State has won the last five meetings between the two schools, and eight of the last nine. In fact, the last time Virginia's won a game in the State of Florida was back on 2001, over FSU -- that was 15 games ago.

Florida State's probable starters today include F Bernard James, C Xavier Gibson, G Deividas Dulkys, G Luke Loucks and G Michael Snaer. Of their big men, James (6-11, 248lbs) is the one to keep an eye on. He averages 10.5 points and 8.8 rebounds a game, blocking 2.2 shots a game. But here's the fun part: he shoots just 49.3% from the free throw line. Hack-a-James game plan in full effect.

For the back court, Snaer averages 30 minutes a game, during which time he gets 14.1 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.8 assists. He also hits 40.6% from beyond the arc.

In many ways, this is a pretty evenly matched game. Florida State has a little bit of a size advantage, but if someone would go ahead and page Sammy Zeglinski's shot right now and let it know that there's a game just 45 minutes away, then the Hoos have a chance at stealing this road game.

This isn't a must-win game for the Hoos, who are expected to take a hit today. But a road win over the 'Noles would tie Virginia up for third in the conference and be a huge boost -- both for the resume and for confidence -- going forward.

Leave your pre-, in- and post-game thoughts here and Go HOOS!