Postseason NIT - Semifinals
Madison Square Garden - New York, NY
Tip-off: Tuesday, 9:30 p.m. ET
Line: Florida State -1, Total: 136.5

Minnesota and Florida State look to earn a trip to the NIT championship when they meet at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday night.

Minnesota comes into the semifinal game winning of five of its past six games (4-2 ATS). The most recent victory was an 81-73 home win against Southern Mississippi last Tuesday. Senior SG Austin Hollins has played in more games than any other Gophers player, and looks determined to end his career on a positive note, as he erupted for 32 points on only 14 shots from the field in that quarterfinal win. He hit six three-pointers, while also going 10-of-10 from the free throw line. Minnesota did a terrific job of sharing the ball against Southern Mississippi, distributing 23 assists on its 26 field goals. That puts the club 15-17-1 ATS this season, including 6-6-1 ATS in non-conference games. However, if there was a negative in the win against the Golden Eagles, the Gophers (1-3 ATS on neutral courts) were outrebounded, 37-27, including a 14-4 discrepancy on the offensive glass. That could be a bad sign going up against a Florida State team that outrebounded Louisiana Tech, 43-36 in Wednesday's 78-75 home win in the quarterfinals. SG Aaron Thomas led the way for the Seminoles, finishing the game with 21 points and nine rebounds. Florida State (17-14-2 ATS, 9-3-1 ATS in non-conference games) has done a great job of winning different style of matchups throughout the NIT. In the first game, the Seminoles won a 58-53 slugfest game against Florida Gulf Coast, but followed that with a high-scoring 101-90 win against Georgetown. This ability to play any style of basketball will have a big say in who advances to the championship game, as does FSU's strong 4-2 ATS mark on neutral courts this season. The 'Noles are 18-6 ATS (75%) in non-home game after 2+ straight overs under head coach Leonard Hamilton, but are also 22-49 ATS (31%) after having won 6 or 7 of their previous eight games under Hamilton. These teams have met five times since 2000 with Minnesota holding a 3-2 edge (SU and ATS), including wins in each of the past two seasons. When the clubs met on Dec. 3 in Minneapolis, the Gophers rolled to a 71-61 win despite shooting just 34.0% FG. They secured the victory with great three-point shooting (7-of-16) and ball protection (6 TO), while forcing 17 Seminoles turnovers.

FSU comes into this game ranked 171st in the nation in scoring at 71.1 PPG, while shooting 46.8 percent from the field (49th in Div. I). The biggest problem the 'Noles on the offensive end has been the struggles of hanging on to the basketball, as they rank 311th out of 345 schools in turnovers (14.1 per game). The defense of Florida State has been solid, allowing only 66.4 PPG (75th in nation), but it would be even better if the team would limit their turnovers and not allow easy baskets. SGs Aaron Thomas (14.8 PPG, 38% threes, 4.2 RPG) and Ian Miller (13.7 PPG, 41% threes, 2.9 APG) have both had big games during the postseason run. Thomas is only a sophomore, but the 6-foot-5 guard is a very talented player that can be special on the offensive end. Last season, he averaged only six points, and has seen his minutes go from 18.6 last season to 31.4 during this 2013-14 campaign. In the three NIT games, Thomas is averaging 23.0 PPG on 60% FG, but he scored just five points before fouling out in the Dec. 3 loss at Williams Arena. Miller had a huge night in that loss, pouring in 16 points (7-of-12 FG) and seven rebounds coming off the bench. PF Okaro White (13.6 PPG, 38% threes, 6.6 RPG) had a similar line in that matchup (16 points, 8 rebounds) before fouling out. White is a talented forward that has the ability to stretch the floor with his shooting ability, helping the Seminoles shoot 38.6 % from the three-point line. Their four top scorers all make at least 38% from deep, including SG Devin Bookert (8.3 PPG, 43% threes).

Minnesota comes into the game ranked a pedestrian 143rd in the nation in scoring (71.8 PPG) while shooting 44.8 % from the field (142nd in Div. I). The Golden Gophers have a lot of guys that can get out and run, and that is fueled by the ability of the team to create havoc by forcing turnovers (7.6 SPG, 34th in nation). PG Andre Hollins (13.6 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 2.4 APG) has not played well in the NIT, averaging just 7.6 PPG on 17% shooting from the field. However, he has shown the ability to have a big scoring game on any given night this season with 20 points on six different occasions, including 21 points (12-of-16 FT) in the win over FSU in December. While unrelated backcourt mate SG Austin Hollins (16 points, 5 rebounds vs. Seminoles on Dec. 3) has been playing well in the NIT, the Gophers also have other guys that are capable of putting the ball in the hoop. SG Deandre Mathieu (11.8 PPG, 4.1 APG, 2.8 RPG) has played terrific basketball in his first year at Minnesota. He transferred in from Morehead State, where he averaged only 2.9 points as a freshman. He is undersized at 5-foot-9, but is fearless when driving the ball to the basket. He is also a big time three-point shooter, connecting on 20-of-41 from deep (49%). SF Maurice Walker (7.9 PPG), SG Malik Smith (7.5 PPG) and PF Joey King (7.2 PPG) are all solid contributors off the bench, who have all had big games scoring this season. The biggest key to this contest will be whichever team can win the rebounding battle, as the Gophers will have to bounce back from a tough game on the glass. FSU had more total rebounds than Minnesota (36-32) in the Dec. 3 matchup, but the Gophers had more offensive boards (13-10).