Big Noise Tipico CBB parlay of the day (Feb. 27)

Multiple times each week, FTN Bets’ resident college basketball junkie, Brad Evans, will attempt to posterize the ‘books with his favorite selections, whether sides, totals, teasers or parlays. As always, fade or follow Brad’s picks — fading is encouraged — that’s up to you.

2-leg alternative line parlay play: Xavier (+8.5), Florida St. (ML) (Tipico Sportsbook)

Odds: +1158

Leg 1: Creighton at Xavier (+8.5)

Desperate times for desperate measures. With their backs against the wall — the Muskies are currently projected as the last team IN on the latest edition of my Bracket Big Board — Xavier has entered into pressure packed must-win territory. It has one Quad 1 victory to its name. Undercutting Creighton on its home floor would be a Moderna shot to the arm. The Jays, top-two in effective field-goal percentage, two-point percentage and three-point percentage in conference action, usually burns brightly from all spots. Xavier attacks the tin with much gusto. Zach Freemantle and Paul Scruggs are a dynamite 1-2 punch who are the primary reasons why it ranks No. 3 in two-point percentage offense in the Big East. The Muskies will have their hands full defensively, but if they share the basketball effectively and drain shots from outside — Nate Johnson’s possible return will be key — they should keep pace.

Leg 2: Florida St. (ML) at North Carolina

Teams coached by Leonard Hamilton, a vampire who hasn’t aged in decades, feast on fleshy necks early and often. Long, athletic and blessed with Olympic caliber marksmen, the Seminoles have a proven formula for success. In a down ACC, they’re the only team remotely capable of blazing a trail to the Final Four. Against North Carolina, fresh off a crippling Quad 3 loss to Marquette inside the Dean Dome, FSU easily matches the Heels’ interior trees branch for branch. This month the ‘Noles have burned the nets posting 1.283 points per possession, the second-highest mark over that span in college basketball. They’ve committed few turnovers, snagged an offensive rebound on 34.6% of their possessions and unleashed from deep (43.2 3PT%). If Carolina exhibits anywhere close to the lackluster defensive effort it exhibited against Marquette, it will find itself sitting squarely on the bubble.

Season record: 25-33

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