GAMETHREAD: Basketball vs. #14 Florida State, 3:30pm, ESPN2

After handily knocking off the Charleston Cougars on Thanksgiving night 67-55, the LSU Tigers look to keep their record clean against their first ranked opponent of the season, the #14 Florida State Seminoles. The Seminoles are 4-0 on the season after beating UAB last night, and began their season with an 81-60 win over Florida.

According to KenPom, Florida State is the ninth best team in the nation and a six point favorite over the Tigers on a neutral court. While no particular part of their game stands out as best in the nation, the Seminoles are consistently strong in just about every possible factor. They have shown a regular susceptibility to get into foul trouble, something the Tigers may need to exploit for a victory this afternoon.

Today’s contest will tip off at 3:30 and will be televised on ESPN2. You can also listen in on 98.1FM, follow my live tweets @marq113 or join the discussion in the comments.

Florida State Seminoles Projected Starting 5

#14 - Terance Mann: 14.8 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 29.3 MPG

#5 - PJ Savoy: 11.5 PPG, 2.0 RPG, 25.8 MPG

#3 - Trent Forrest: 9.8 PPG, 4.8 APG, 29.3 MPG

#21 - Christ Koumadje: 9.3 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 17.8 MPG

#23 - MJ Walker: 8.0 PPG, 2.3 APG, 27.8 MPG

LSU Tigers Projected Starting 5

#0 - Naz Reid: 13.4 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 21.0 MPG

#1 - Ja’vonte Smart: 11.2 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 25.6 MPG

#3 - Tremont Waters: 12.0 PPG, 7.2 APG, 33.6 MPG

#4 - Skylar Mays: 12.6 PPG, 2.2 APG, 28.4 MPG

#24 - Emmitt Williams: 10.6 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 26.0 MPG