Wednesday, December 3rd, 9:30 p.m. (et)

FACTS & STATS: Site: Welsh-Ryan Arena (8,117) -- Evanston, Illinois. Television: ESPN2. Home Record: FSU 3-0, Northwestern 3-0. Away Record: FSU 2-0, Northwestern 1-1. Neutral Record: FSU 2-0, Northwestern 0-0. Conference Record: FSU 0-0, Northwestern 0-0. Series Record: Florida State leads, 3-1.

GAME NOTES: Off to one of their best starts in school history, the Florida State Seminoles take their undefeated record to Welsh-Ryan Arena where they will clash with the Northwestern Wildcats as part of the 10th Annual ACC/Big Ten Challenge. The Seminoles enter the tilt on a roll and that includes winning the Global Sports Tournament championship last week. The team first defeated Cincinnati (58-47) in the semifinals before downing California (80-77) in the finals on Saturday. With the wins, FSU improved to 7-0 overall, marking the fourth best start in school history. The Seminoles' 10-game winning streak to open the 2003-04 campaign is the best start in program history. As for Northwestern, it kicked off a four-game homestand with a 59-43 triumph over UC Riverside on Monday. It was the fourth win in five games this season for the Wildcats, who ran their home mark to 3-0. With regard to the all-time series, FSU holds a 3-1 lead over Northwestern, including a 2-1 edge in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge.

The Seminoles shot a solid 47.9 percent from the field, including a 7-of-17 effort from three-point land, as they overcame 18 turnovers to defeat Cal on Saturday. FSU also took advantage of its opportunities at the foul line, converting on 27-of-34 attempts. Toney Douglas made 4-of-10 tries from long range and 10-of-11 at the charity stripe, as he led the Seminoles with 28 points. Uche Echefu added 17 points off the bench, while Chris Singleton nearly missed a double-double with nine points and 10 rebounds. On the season, Douglas paces FSU in scoring at 19.0 ppg and he has also been effective on defense, racking up a team-high 16 steals. Singleton turns in 10.6 ppg and a team-best 8.1 rpg, and Echefu has provided a spark off the bench with 10.0 ppg. Overall, the Seminoles are averaging a respectable 70.0 ppg and they have done a great job at the free-throw line, making 75.4 percent of their tries.

The Wildcats limited UCR to a sub par 34.7 percent shooting effort from the floor and controlled the boards, 37-29, in a 16-point win on Monday. Northwestern also did a good job making its shots from the field, hitting on 44.7 percent. Kevin Coble paced a balanced attack with 14 points and five rebounds, while John Shurna, Kyle Rowley and Craig Moore each had 10 points. On the season, Moore leads Northwestern in scoring at 14.6 ppg and he is also dishing out 3.0 apg. Coble checks in with 12.0 ppg and a team-high 5.4 rpg, and Michael Thompson rounds out the double-figure scorers with 10.8 ppg. As a team, the Wildcats are scoring 66.4 ppg and shooting an efficient 49.4 percent from the field.

The Seminoles are playing with a lot of confidence right now and their ability to get to the line and convert at a high rate will play a big part in them picking up the win tonight.

Predicted Outcome

Florida 66, Northwestern 56