Florida State @ Duke preview

Last Meeting ( Mar 16, 2019 ) Florida State 63, Duke 73

It's a big week for two of the top teams in the country as No. 7 Duke hosts No. 8 Florida State on Monday in a battle for sole possession of second place in the ACC just two days after huge emotional victories over arch rivals. The Seminoles took care of business against Miami on Saturday 99-81, while the Blue Devils came from behind to stun North Carolina 98-96 on a buzzer beater at the end of overtime.

"Absolutely incredible game," Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski said afterward. "To have an incredible game means you have great performances by both teams. … Proud of my guys.” Freshman Wendell Moore came through with the winning putback as time expired, but it was actually the second buzzer-beating shot of the game after Tre Jones hit one at the end of regulation to cap a 13-point comeback in the final 4 1/2 minutes. The Seminoles didn't need to put together nearly the same kind of furious comeback against Miami, but they did have to erase an early deficit before taking control against the overmatched Hurricanes, setting up this ACC showdown on a short turnaround. “It happens to be during a real, real tough part of the year,” Florida State coach Leonard Hamilton said. “That’s the nature of what television has done to the sport. That’s a good problem to have when you play one-day turnaround games, so you can play ‘Big Monday’ and get all the exposure that all these (players) grow up wanting in the first place. So as the young folks say, I guess it’s all good.”

TIME: 7 p.m. ET. TV: ESPN

ABOUT FLORIDA STATE (20-3, 10-2 ACC): Patrick Williams and M.J. Walker both recorded 14 points in the win over Miami, with Devin Vassell right behind at 13, but 13 different players scored for the Seminoles, five in double digits. The team as a whole nailed 53 percent of their shots from the floor (35-of-66) - its best showing since a Jan. 4 win over ACC leader Louisville (55.2) - and 50 percent from long distance (13-of-26). The Seminoles held Miami to 40.6 percent shooting from the field, which is just about their average for the season as they rank 53rd in the nation in field goal percentage defense (40.1 percent).

ABOUT DUKE (20-3, 10-2): While Moore hit the game-winning shot against North Carolina, it was Jones who starred for the Blue Devils, registering a game-high 28 points, with 22 coming in the second half and overtime when he, at one point, scored 15 in a row, including the last-second jumper to send the game into the extra session. "He was at another level tonight," Krzyzewski said. "We won because of that kid." Freshman big man Vernon Carey Jr., the team's leading scorer for the season with 17.8 points per game, just ahead of Jones' 15.8, fouled out after 28 minutes with 18 points, while fellow frosh Cassius Stanley produced his fourth 20-point performance of the year (22 points).

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Duke ranks second in the nation in scoring with 83.1 points per game.

2. Florida State led 50-47 at halftime against Miami, its highest first-half scoring total in ACC play this season.

3. The Blue Devils return home after playing - and winning - three straight ACC games on the road.

PREDICTION: Duke 84, Florida State 79