21 - 22 Basketball The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

[Bill From Tampa]

FSU 86 UNF 73 The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly



The Good

12-5 overall, 5th straight win, 7th out of the last eight games, 7-0 all time versus North Florida beating the Ospreys just 38 hours after coming away with the win over Duke. It wasn't easy as UNF came off the bus ready to shoot the three. But it was a win. UNF may have owned the arc, but FSU dominated the paint offensively and defensively. The Ospreys had just 8 baskets inside the arc (16 pts in the paint). The 'Noles had 30 baskets around the rim (46 pts in the paint).

Several times throughout the game FSU built a double digit lead only to see UNF make a game of it closing it to three at one point, 56-53, 14:13 mark. Later the Ospreys closed it to 79-71 with 3:27 remaining. Each time however key baskets would put the 'Noles back out in front by double digits. Down the stretch it was Matthew Cleveland who answered the call.

FSU leads the ACC in steals. They added 10 with today's game.

OK, UNF's zone defense is not the caliber of say Syracuse. But they played it just about all game long and the Seminoles pretty much sliced it apart.

Rebounding totally dominated by FSU, 38-21 (13-3 orb) that saw the 'Noles with 24 second chance points to ZERO for UNF.

Malik Osborne in street clothes. Better to sit him and hopefully have him for the next game.

Depth. Even without Malik, Leonard Hamilton played twelve. UNF, after having a player ejected early for throwing a punch at Tanor Ngom, played basically seven. The tank running low showed as FSU was able to pull away late. In addition, the Ospreys were without their leading scorer due to injury. With the deeper bench, FSU put up 43 points to 20 for UNF.

Once again a three headed player of the game. Caleb Mills with 21 points on 8-12 shooting. Several were amazing acrobatic shots. Throw in four assists. Cleveland with his second career double double; also 21 points (8-16), 10 boards and add in 4 assists. Ngom, who missed 11 games and played just one minute plus versus Duke, with a career high 13 points (5-6). On those few shots UNF took inside, Ngom was very active in changing the trajectory of the Osprey attempts.

Plays of the game. Mills with the floater with the ball hanging on the rim deciding if it believed in the law of gravity or not, 74-56. The alley oop from Cleveland to Ngom for the slam, 63-56. Cleveland with the emphatic put back to put FSU up 69-56. Mills with the three foot underhand flip, 32-28. Mills again with the drive from the left and the reverse lay up, 46-33. Quincy Ballard taking the charge. Mills crashing the board off his missed jumper and the put back, 52-40.

The Bad

By the time FSU defenders starting shrinking the space on UNF shooters, they were already in too much of a rhythm. The Ospreys converted 14-24 from the arc (58%). Then add in the just plain bad defense when on several plays the FSU defender went under the screen allowing wide open looks that UNF converted. Should have made them put it on the floor and let the bigs bother the shot. Probably easier said than done however.

Cam'ron Fletcher with just two shots. He made neither. He just looks like he is trying too hard to make them.

Points off turnovers. FSU gave up the ball 13 times (UNF did play some good defense to cause that) allowing the Ospreys to score 18 points. By contrast UNF turned it over 19 times with FSU only able to score 21. That and threes helped keep UNF close.

The Ugly

The one time a three did NOT need to be challenged. Mills did just that as Jalen Hicklen launched a 20 plus foot three right before the first half buzzer sending him to the line. The three freebies pulled UNF to within ten, 48-38.

Cleveland continues with FT shooting troubles. Just 5-9. However, the one miss he had saw the worst not blocking out you will ever see as Matthew, realizing the shot was short, took a big leap into the lane well before anyone else and floated the ball into the basket.

UNF able to close it to eight one more time, 81-73, when Ngom leapt at the shooter out past the arc sending him to the line for three. Thankfully he only made two and I am sure Tanor is not used to guarding someone at the arc.

The sideline reporter interviewing the FSU student we've all seen when the student section is shown. The guy who is dressed as a mime. So how does one interview a mime?


Up Next

Florida State hits the road for a rematch at Miami on Saturday at 2 PM and aired on ESPN. Miami is still atop the ACC standings. There is a very familiar team just behind in second by one game. Obviously something is on the line for this contest.

 

[squiffynole]

Good - easy parking
Bad - Ngom tweaking leg
Ugly - no band

 

[Bill From Tampa]

Good - easy parking
Bad - Ngom tweaking leg
Ugly - no band

Tanor came back after that and played. After the game, Leonard did not know his status. But if he played, he was likely fine.

 

[Bill From Tampa]

FSU 61 Miami 60 The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly



The Good

13-5 overall, 6-2 ACC taking over sole possession of first place in the ACC due to the season sweep of the Hurricanes, 6th consecutive win, and 9 straight over the Canes improving Leonard Hamilton's record vs Jim Larranaga to 15-8. Coming into the game, Miami was 9-1 at home this season. Make that 9-2. It also notches an important road win to bolster the 'Noles NCAA tournament hopes.

After nearly blowing a 24 point half time lead, 43-19, all you need is one more point than the other guy to win the game. Hamilton attributed the team's difficulties in the second period to inexperience. FSU never trailed in the contest.

Thank you Anthony Polite for getting a hand in Isaiah Wong's final shot of the game. Personally I thought Wong would push it harder to the rim to possibly draw a foul. But there was just 8.8 seconds left when the play began and FSU applied some full court pressure of its own.

The Seminoles built that huge lead by relentlessly attacking the basket often in transition and not settling for the jump shot. The result was dominating the points in the paint, 40-26.

FSU's play was so out of sync in the second period, Hamilton had to burn his last timeout with 5:52 remaining. Somehow the 'Noles did not completely collapse despite relentless full court pressure and trapping the 'Noles in the FSU end of the floor. But to have to coach with no timeouts for that long had to be a huge concern for Hamilton. He compensated by playing his vets almost exclusively down the stretch and it paid off.

Players of the game. Caleb Mills and Polite. Polite had 13 points by halftime however but just two after that. He added 7 rebounds one of which was extremely important in running some clock. Mills picked up the scoring in the final period finishing with 16 points. And every one of them was needed. Once again Mills displayed a variety of moves that sliced through the 'Canes defense or left them completely faked out.

Plays of the game. No question THE most important play, actually plays, were the back to back to back offensive rebounds that ran off 1:09 off the clock. The series ended with a Mills' layup giving FSU a 61-52 lead with 2:43 remaining. It would be the last points the Seminoles would score. Mills turned the ball over (one of his seven total), but did not give up on the play intercepting a pass in the Hurricanes lane to prevent a possibly layup. Mills juking Kameron McGusty with the side to side crossover so badly that had McGusty moving entirely the opposite direction leaving Mills wide open for the bucket, 18-7. Mills' weaving drive to the rim and a quick 5-0 lead. Wyatt Wilkes giving the 'Noles that 24 point lead posing as he swished the three from way above the key as the buzzer sounded. Tanor Ngom saving a poor pass from going OB and having the presence of mind to take it to the hole for the slam, 16-6. Cam'ron Fletcher with a blocked shot by a seven footer.


The Bad

Once again we have a player (Mills) step OB as he tried to make a move with the ball. And it was on the first possession of the game. Seems like we have at least one of those every game.

With 1:11 remaining, Polite missed a FT that could have given FSU a 62-58 lead. And it was the front end of a one and one.

Mills taking a much too quick three from the left corner rather than driving to the basket. The long rebound led to a quick basket at the other end.

Fletcher with a lazy pass that nearly got picked off. He has made those kinds of passes much too often.


The Ugly

Aside from nearly blowing a 24 point lead, 17 turnovers that contributed greatly to nearly blowing that 24 point lead. What makes it so ugly is FSU had just two miscues at intermission. Inexplicable mistakes like Mills passing cross court to Polite who unfortunately was not looking and the ball sailed into the FSU bench. Or the lob pass by Polite to God knows who and seeing that sail into the Miami student section seated behind the basket. By the time six minutes rolled off the clock in the 2nd half, the 'Noles had racked up six turnovers.

The inability of the offense to handle the press and traps, especially the traps in the half court by Miami. I can guess what might come up in practice on Monday.

Miami was a horrid 1-12 from the arc in the 1st half. Thankfully. They ended 7 of 25.

Wong constantly drawing FSU players into fouls on the three point shots that turned into four point plays twice.

Miami inbounding the ball to start the second half only to start moving the ball towards the wrong basket and the ref pointing the other way as if to say, "no, no ... you want to go that way".


Up Next

After playing its 4th game in eight days, the 'Noles get a few days respite from play. FSU will next travel to Georgia Tech for a Wednesday meeting at 9 PM. The game will be shown on the ACCN. Tech is currently at the bottom of the conference standings at 1-6 and 8-10 overall assuming the Jackets beat Clayton State in a Saturday evening tip.

 

[62Nole]

My most enjoyable 1st half of ball this season.

Tha most agonizing 2nd half, causing me to scalp my wife. Yes. The one I got out of the circus. Guess I'll have to spring for a "rug".

 

[billanole]

FSU 61 Miami 60 The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly



The Good

13-5 overall, 6-2 ACC taking over sole possession of first place in the ACC due to the season sweep of the Hurricanes, 6th consecutive win, and 9 straight over the Canes improving Leonard Hamilton's record vs Jim Larranaga to 15-8. Coming into the game, Miami was 9-1 at home this season. Make that 9-2. It also notches an important road win to bolster the 'Noles NCAA tournament hopes.

After nearly blowing a 24 point half time lead, 43-19, all you need is one more point than the other guy to win the game. Hamilton attributed the team's difficulties in the second period to inexperience. FSU never trailed in the contest.

Thank you Anthony Polite for getting a hand in Isaiah Wong's final shot of the game. Personally I thought Wong would push it harder to the rim to possibly draw a foul. But there was just 8.8 seconds left when the play began and FSU applied some full court pressure of its own.

The Seminoles built that huge lead by relentlessly attacking the basket often in transition and not settling for the jump shot. The result was dominating the points in the paint, 40-26.

FSU's play was so out of sync in the second period, Hamilton had to burn his last timeout with 5:52 remaining. Somehow the 'Noles did not completely collapse despite relentless full court pressure and trapping the 'Noles in the FSU end of the floor. But to have to coach with no timeouts for that long had to be a huge concern for Hamilton. He compensated by playing his vets almost exclusively down the stretch and it paid off.

Players of the game. Caleb Mills and Polite. Polite had 13 points by halftime however but just two after that. He added 7 rebounds one of which was extremely important in running some clock. Mills picked up the scoring in the final period finishing with 16 points. And every one of them was needed. Once again Mills displayed a variety of moves that sliced through the 'Canes defense or left them completely faked out.

Plays of the game. No question THE most important play, actually plays, were the back to back to back offensive rebounds that ran off 1:09 off the clock. The series ended with a Mills' layup giving FSU a 61-52 lead with 2:43 remaining. It would be the last points the Seminoles would score. Mills turned the ball over (one of his seven total), but did not give up on the play intercepting a pass in the Hurricanes lane to prevent a possibly layup. Mills juking Kameron McGusty with the side to side crossover so badly that had McGusty moving entirely the opposite direction leaving Mills wide open for the bucket, 18-7. Mills' weaving drive to the rim and a quick 5-0 lead. Wyatt Wilkes giving the 'Noles that 24 point lead posing as he swished the three from way above the key as the buzzer sounded. Tanor Ngom saving a poor pass from going OB and having the presence of mind to take it to the hole for the slam, 16-6. Cam'ron Fletcher with a blocked shot by a seven footer.


The Bad

Once again we have a player (Mills) step OB as he tried to make a move with the ball. And it was on the first possession of the game. Seems like we have at least one of those every game.

With 1:11 remaining, Polite missed a FT that could have given FSU a 62-58 lead. And it was the front end of a one and one.

Mills taking a much too quick three from the left corner rather than driving to the basket. The long rebound led to a quick basket at the other end.

Fletcher with a lazy pass that nearly got picked off. He has made those kinds of passes much too often.


The Ugly

Aside from nearly blowing a 24 point lead, 17 turnovers that contributed greatly to nearly blowing that 24 point lead. What makes it so ugly is FSU had just two miscues at intermission. Inexplicable mistakes like Mills passing cross court to Polite who unfortunately was not looking and the ball sailed into the FSU bench. Or the lob pass by Polite to God knows who and seeing that sail into the Miami student section seated behind the basket. By the time six minutes rolled off the clock in the 2nd half, the 'Noles had racked up six turnovers.

The inability of the offense to handle the press and traps, especially the traps in the half court by Miami. I can guess what might come up in practice on Monday.

Miami was a horrid 1-12 from the arc in the 1st half. Thankfully. They ended 7 of 25.

Wong constantly drawing FSU players into fouls on the three point shots that turned into four point plays twice.

Miami inbounding the ball to start the second half only to start moving the ball towards the wrong basket and the ref pointing the other way as if to say, "no, no ... you want to go that way".


Up Next

After playing its 4th game in eight days, the 'Noles get a few days respite from play. FSU will next travel to Georgia Tech for a Wednesday meeting at 9 PM. The game will be shown on the ACCN. Tech is currently at the bottom of the conference standings at 1-6 and 8-10 overall assuming the Jackets beat Clayton State in a Saturday evening tip.

That was the proverbial tale of two halves. Wowzers, it was good to see Mills take over at the end.

 

[NoleLizards]

Still no respect in the Net rankings at just #57.

 

[Bill From Tampa]

We were 59 as I recall. So we at least improved by two spots.

The ACC is viewed as very down this year. And it is. So beating up on other ACC teams is not going to do much to improve NET rankings.

 

[squiffynole]

Outstanding summary, thank you.

 

[NOLE N TN]

We were 59 as I recall. So we at least improved by two spots.

The ACC is viewed as very down this year. And it is. So beating up on other ACC teams is not going to do much to improve NET rankings.

How is it viewed as down?

If this was football and SEC is playing a SEC schedule and 70% starts in the top 25, they are beating each other up.

Makes no since!

You're telling me that 6 wins in a row, 1 being top 10 team = 57th best team?

Big East's (5 ranked) highest ranked team only has 1 win I would consider noticeable and it was early against UT. They've played 2 top 10 teams and 1 beat them by almost 30! So, is the Big East up this year?

ACC will have more make the tourney than Big East. But, yet they have 5 teams ranked and 1 ACC team.

I would bet big on FSU beating any of those teams if they played tomorrow night!

 

[Bill From Tampa]

I have heard predictions of three to four teams making the NCAA. The OOC W/L has not been good either. Just one ACC team in the top 25.

 

[Bill From Tampa]

FSU 61 GT 75 The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly



The Good

The game started out well enough. FSU raced out to a 7-0 lead and made five of their first six shots. There was some excellent passing finding players in the lane for the bunny shot such as the bullet pass to Naheem McLeod, Caleb Mills with yet another highlight reverse lay up, and attacking the basket such as Jalen Warley's underhand floater. Unfortunately it was down hill from there.

And speaking of McLeod, he set a career high in points scored, 10, and added 7 rebounds. Might as well make him FSU's player of the game because outside those first three minutes, everybody struggled. Anthony Polite did lead the team with 11 points. But he sat the last six plus minutes in the first half due to foul trouble. Without Polite and others on the floor, the 'Noles looked lost.

There was the 11-2 run the Seminoles made in the second half to pull it to within four, 57-53, with 7:38 to play. After that, there was no a whole lot that was good.

Plays of the game. John Butler with the three from the right corner receiving a nice pass from Mills.. Matthew Cleveland with the nice lob pass to McLeod and the lay in, 22-20. Mills who stopped the bleeding with a three at the buzzer to end the half narrowing the deficit to 44-33 ending a 16-2 Tech run. Butler's one handed slam on an alley oop pass from Warley, 26-25.


The Bad

13-6 overall, 6-3 ACC, 5-4 Leonard Hamilton's record vs Josh Pastner, losing to a team that had lost 9 of its last 11, and a short stint at the top of the league when combined with Miami's half court shot at the buzzer to beat VT. Add in not being able to get payback for last year's loss to the Yellow Jackets in the ACC title game.

Malik Osborne definitely hobbled and not even close to 100%. He simply lacks elevation because of that ankle. FSU is missing his presence on the floor.

Mills with a throat infection finishing with just 5 points. He was able to gut out 16 minutes in the first half but played just three in the second period.

To sum up the loss, FSU did not shoot the ball well, 41%, and turned the ball over too many times, 12 in the first half and 17 overall (13 were steals by Tech). GT looked like the faster and more energized team for most of the game and at times looked like they could not miss a shot.

Hamilton tried to prepare his team for the GT defense. But the 'Noles struggled with the various schemes GT threw at them. In particular the 1-3-1 zone that would morph into a 2-3 zone depending where Seminole players were on the floor. A stretch using the match up zone caused numerous Seminole miscues.

After the Seminoles closed it to 57-53, Tech could not miss converting 6 of their last 7 shots. It added up to an 18-8 run to end the game.


The Ugly

Watching those turnovers was like watching the second half of Miami all over again. FSU found some inventive ways to give the ball away.

And speaking of turnovers, no clue who RayQuan Evans was throwing the ball to in the second half. All we saw was a round orange mass sailing at blazing speed towards the stands behind the end line. It was the "highlight" of his 5 total miscues.

The refs had their "moments" such as missing a ten second violation by GT about a quarter of the way into the first period. And then there was McLeod losing the ball OB. He had good reason. He got tomahawked across the arm by a Jacket. How the ref on the baseline did not see that is beyond me.

Lazy passing. About a half dozen of them. I know, four games in eight days. They were still lazy.

Jordan Usher, once again the Seminole slayer. He had 15 points in the ACCT game last season. He out did himself tonight with game high 19.


Up Next

Saturday FSU hosts the aforementioned Hokies who has a had a number of heartbreaking losses this season. Tip off is at 3 PM and to be shown on the ABC network. Tech, the one from Georgia, was in last place in the standings. Tech, the one from Virginia, now occupies that spot, 2-7, 10-10. Let's hope the Seminoles don't make it back to back losses to the cellar dwelling team.

 

[NoleLizards]

I don't watch a whole lot of regular season basketball outside of FSU games, but it seems to me that GaTech plays at a much higher level than usual whenever they face us... What gives??

 

[NOLE N TN]

Well, of course last night happens 😏😏

 

[Bill From Tampa]

Beats me other than to say their schemes take advantage of our weaknesses.

 

[Bill From Tampa]

FSU 72 VT 85 The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly



The Good

FSU shot the ball well. 50% from the floor, 38% from the arc and 17-19 from the stripe. The 'Noles were very good at getting the ball inside either via the pass or the off the dribble. Indicative of that success were the 16 assists on 26 made baskets. The Hokies use a defense similar to Virginia, but the Seminoles were able to dissect it.

FSU made a couple of nice runs to keep the game close. Trailing 17-9, an Anthony Polite three finished off a 10-0 run to give FSU a 19-17 lead. Later with VT ahead 39-31 at intermission, the 'Noles ran off eight quick points to tie the game at 39. With 10:58 left in the game, FSU was behind by just one point, 55-54 and then by two, 62-60, at the 7:26 mark before it fell apart for the Seminoles.

Player of the game or more so the play of the game was the combo of Jalen Warley to Naheem McLeod. On numerous baskets, Warley (6 assists) delivered the pass to McLeod who maneuvered his way around the basket from both sides to score a career high 15 points. He had his way with the VT interior defense. The ability to pound the ball inside led to a huge disparity in points in the paint, 42-20.

Other players of note were Polite with a team leading 17 points on 5 of 6 shooting. Can'Ron Fletcher scored 8 and was active on the defensive end of the floor.

Plays of the game. McLeod on a well executed pick and roll plus the foul to tie the game at five. Later McLeod's slam dunk sparked that 10-0 run. John Butler with the three from above the key giving FSU its first lead, 10-9. The three consecutive slam dunks by McLeod on bullet passes by Warley and Matthew Cleveland. The third slam gave FSU a 54-53 lead. After a Wyatt Wilkes turnover, Fletcher hustled back blocking the lay up preventing the easy score. It really paid off when the VT shooter missed both FTs.

The Bad

13-7 overall, 6-4 ACC, 84-6 now at home in its last 90 games, losing to VT at home for the first time since 1990, a span of 14 games.

The three starters out of the game. As we all know, Malik Osborne is done for the season with the ankle injury. Caleb Mills still was not recovered from tonsillitis although he played the last four minutes of the first half. It was clear he was not 100% with two sloppy turnovers and one missed shot. RayQuan Evans sat for bereavement. That meant the 'Noles were missing two of their top scorers.

Cleveland is going to have to find a way to improve his shot. Although he had 10 points, he was 3-11 from the floor. On the plus side, he was 4-4 from the line where he has struggled this season.

The refs who missed the obvious hold by a Hokie on a screen that gave Cattour a huge wide open shot. He of course converted that shot.


The Ugly

VT is the league's top three point shooting team. It is what they do best. So when Leonard Hamilton said before the game that getting out on their shooters was a priority, it was going to be a huge challenge for the 'Noles. Unfortunately FSU failed in that challenge as the Hokies blistered the Seminoles from behind the arc connecting on 18 of 25 threes (72%). Hunter Cattour destroyed FSU with 27 points connecting on 9 of 11 threes. And then off the bench was Sean Pedulla with 20 points converting 6 of 7 three pointers.

With 10:58 to play Cattour connected on a three to give VT a 58-54 lead. From that point in the game to the 3:46 mark, the Hokies connected on 7 of their 9 shots. Conversely FSU was a miserable 1-10. It lead to a 14-0 VT run giving the Hokies a 78-62 lead that pretty much sealed the win for VT.

VT taking just 5 FTs converting 3. Who needs FTs when you make 18 three pointers. And therein lies the story to the game.

With all the switching FSU does on defense, all to often McLeod found himself guarding Pedulla. Not exactly accustomed to guarding shooters at the arc, he gave Pedulla ample space to launch the three.


Up Next

Clemson at Littlejohn Wednesday night at 7 PM and to be aired on the ACCN. The Tigers (11-9, 3-6) will have had 8 days off after losing a hard fought game at Duke eventually falling to the Blue Devils, 71-69.

 

[Bill From Tampa]

FSU 69 Clemson 75 Free form GB&U


13-8 overall, 6-5 ACC, 13-22 at Littlejohn, and the 'Noles third straight loss after six consecutive wins.

It is clear injuries have taken its toll on what was a promising season. As we all know Malik is out for the season, but tonight Naheem McLeod was out with a broken finger and reportedly out six to eight weeks. In other words, he is likely done for the season.. Add in illnesses, other injuries, personal leave and players and coaches have had to make significant adjustments. Changes such as tonight by not switching 1 thru 5 as FSU normally does (Ngom is not yet back in top shape) and instead hedging on screens. With limited practice on that scheme, FSU had numerous defensive lapses.

That said, FSU did a heck of a job in closing it to 69-67 with two minutes to play, Unfortunately what looked like possession to Florida State was reversed and it seemed to take the wind out of the 'Noles. The Seminoles could not buy a basket while Clemson was able to convert.

FSU actually played well offensively shooting 48% and posted 16 assists on 24 made baskets. The 'Noles found something to exploit in the Tigers' defense and converted a number of back door or back cut baskets.

Defensively FSU had its moments such as getting 9 steals. However there were stretches where they could not stop Clemson. Several occasions saw the Tigers ran off stretches of 5 and 6 baskets in a row. And once again FSU was vulnerable at the arc. After facing the league's number one three point shooting on Saturday, tonight they faced the league's second best three point shooting team. The Tigers cooled some in the second half but still made 6-15 (40%) threes.

Now it is going to be a struggle to make the NCAA. With nine regular season games to play, IMO FSU has to win at least seven more. Posting a 7-2 record is going to be a challenge.

While still not practicing much and still showing the effects of the throat infection, Mills led the team with 16 points. RayQuan Evans added 11 including two nice drives to the rim to start FSU's scoring.

Without two bigs and relying on a player just a few games back on the floor, the Seminoles were beaten badly on the boards, 37-24. It is going to be a long rest of the season if that cannot be turned around. It says something when Prieto is subbed in rather than Ballard.

Some not so memorable moments. There is no reason to foul a three point shooter except when you are out of control as was the case for Wyatt Wilkes. That was three points from the stripe given to the Tigers. Easy to see why Clemson left Matthew Cleveland completely unguarded on a three point attempt from the left side. He can't make them. With two more misses tonight, Cleveland is now 3-21. That is 14.3% for those of you keeping score at home. Hamilton using a zone defense in the second half that was promptly scraped after an easy uncontested slam dunk by Hall.

I did like the passing and sharing of the ball tonight. Especially some excellent interior passing utilizing the bounce pass.

The reality of the situation is FSU is basically back to the beginning of the season when players were trying to learn and understand their roles. But now some are being asked to do more as the once deep bench is not so deep anymore.

Up next is a noon tip against Wake Forest in the DLTCC. It is reunion weekend with many former players in attendance. George McCloud will be honored by the retiring of his number. Wake (18-5, 8-4) absolutely dismantled Pitt tonight, 91-75.

 

[Bill From Tampa]

FSU 60 WF 68 The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly


The Good

Down three starters at the beginning of the game and then four at the beginning of the second period, Florida State's huge effort erased an 11 point deficit to trail 52-50 with less than six to play and later 57-56 with 3:51 remaining. In the end, FSU just did not have enough offense. The defense was quite good, but the 'Noles could not capitalize on the opportunities the defense created. Still the effort was top notch. And by a team with a lot of first players going against a team with four grad transfers. Add in coaching that had quite a job in juggling a short handed bench. A VERY short handed bench.

The Seminoles lead the ACC and are ranked in the top 20 nationally in steals per game with 9.8. They eclipsed that with 15 thefts. In total, FSU forced WF into 26 miscues. Unfortunately the 'Noles could only manage 19 points off those turnovers.

Wake leads the ACC (23rd in the nation) in FG% at 48.8%. The Seminoles held the Deacons down slightly below that at 46%. Wake is also second in the conference in PPG (79.8). With all the turnovers and an active defense, the 'Noles held the Deacons to 12 points below that average.

Player of the game. Clearly far and away was Harrison Prieto with a double double (13 points, 13 rebounds). Called into action when Tanor Ngom was injured early in the game, Prieto was the sole reason FSU managed to stay in the game and trail by just four at the half, 25-21. By the time six plus minutes had passed, Prieto's line read 7 points, 7 rebounds (6 offensive), a steal, and a forced jump ball in favor of FSU.

Honorable mention to Caleb Mills with 15 points and 4 assists plus managing to stay in the game at the end after picking up four fouls early in the second half.

Plays of the game. John Butler's blocked shot in the left corner on Wake's first possession leaving only three seconds in which to put up some sort of shot. Jake LaRavia inbounding the ball with a bounce pass that went between the legs of a teammate and rolled OB. Ngom diving for the loose ball after being banged up twice in the game. Wyatt Wilkes snatching the ball out of the air on a pass from the man he was guarding. Mills' three from above the key in transition to bring the 'Noles to within one, 57-56. Matthew Cleveland recognizing a defender with his head turned and promptly drove the ball in for the slam dunk, 46-38.


The Bad

13-9 overall, 6-6 ACC and the fourth loss in a row for the Seminoles. That would be the first four game losing streak for FSU since the 2006-2007 season.

Despite a solid defensive effort, offense is the big problem for the Seminoles. In five of the last six games, FSU has scored below 70 points. And four of those have either been 60 or 61 points. Unless you are Virginia, you don't win a lot of games with scoring that few points.

Butler played just 7:45, all in the first half. He spent time in the second half on the stationary bike. At this time there is no word on what injury or illness the situation it is. Just what FSU does not need, another injury.

Justin Linder being instructed by the ref that he actually had to be standing OB and not standing on the court to inbound the ball.

The obligatory at least once a game by FSU in stepping OB while trying to put the ball on the floor, this time by Mills.


The Ugly

With today's three swings and a miss, Cleveland is now 3-24 (12.5%) from behind the arc. OK, time was running out and FSU down by seven forcing the 'Noles to launch desperation threes. So two of those misses were in the last 29 seconds. But someone else could not be in those spots to take the three? Maybe like Wilkes? At least he is over 30% from the arc. WF had to love seeing Cleveland taking those shots.

Ngom going down with a knee injury just minutes into the game after colliding knee to knee with a WF defender while setting a screen. Helped off the court and to the locker room, Ngom fortunately was able to return to action. And then in the second half, he went down again when a Deacon landed on his knee. Thankfully after laying on the court while play was going on around him, he was fine. Still with all the injuries, Florida State fans didn't want to see that.

Prieto had three baskets by the time 6:20 was left in the half. Take out those three buckets and FSU was a horrid 1 of 23 from the floor. Amazingly the 'Noles trailed just 18-11. Unfortunately because FSU could not find the bottom of the net, Wake went on an 11-0 run to take that 18-11 lead.


Up Next

Pitt (8-14, 3-8) comes to Tallahassee for a late tip off (9 PM) on Wednesday night. The game will be shown on the ACC Network. The Panthers have lost four of their last five not including tonight's game against Virginia Tech.

 

[Bill From Tampa]

FSU 51 Pitt 56 The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly


The Good

Well, at least had a lead in the game. 2-0 and managed to stay in the game with a chance to pull it out.

Caleb Mills had a nice game. Really the only player offensively for FSU. 19 points and 4-8 from three point land.

A few plays of the game. Mills hard to the basket, 24-22. The back door bucket by Matthew Cleveland, 34-29. Cam'Ron Fletcher (career high 9 pts) three off an assist from Mills, 39-37. Fletcher's shot that rolled around the rim before falling thru the net, 41-41. RayQuan Evans lay up using just four seconds of clock, 51-48.

Defensively FSU played pretty well if you exclude Horton;'s 25 points on 8-16, 7-13 shooting. FSU had a bit of a difficult time closing out on him. But even with his torrid shooting, the Seminoles held Pitt to just 33% from the floor. And normally you probably win that game.


The Bad

13-10 overall, 6-7 ACC, 5th consecutive loss something that last occurred 14 years ago, 3-4 at home vs Pitt, and 6-15 overall vs the Panthers.

With the news of Anthony Polite's wrist surgery, three players are done for the season, and a fourth playing injured. FSU misses their points and maybe more importantly the defense of Osborne and Polite.

Pitt managed to isolate FSU players who are not the 'Noles strongest defenders. Horton took advantage of that with open shots as did Burton who scored 11 of Pitt's last 15 points over the final 5 minutes.

Cleveland is in a pattern of putting up a lot of shots (4-13 n this game) in order to reach double digits. But he took only three from behind the arc making one. Which means he was 3-10 from around the basket.

The Ugly

The NCAA is out of the question now. The team needed to get to 20 wins. With seven regular season games left, that is not going to happen. Not enough quality wins and way too many bad losses, like to Pitt. And certainly not with what is left on the schedule while being so short handed. Now the question is can FSU make the NIT?

Watching a game for nearly 2.5 hours that was so ugly to watch from an offensive POV. As mentioned, Pitt was just 33% and you would think you would win holding a team to that percentage. That is if you actually make baskets. At one point FSU was shooting below 16%. They "improved" from that boosting that percentage all the way up to 29%.


Up Next

FSU's next loss .... er .... game is at UNC on Saturday. 2 PM tip. On ESPN. The Tar Heels have lost one game this season at home. To Duke.

 

[NoleLizards]

FSU 51 Pitt 56 The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly


The Good

Well, at least had a lead in the game. 2-0 and managed to stay in the game with a chance to pull it out.

Caleb Mills had a nice game. Really the only player offensively for FSU. 19 points and 4-8 from three point land.

A few plays of the game. Mills hard to the basket, 24-22. The back door bucket by Matthew Cleveland, 34-29. Cam'Ron Fletcher (career high 9 pts) three off an assist from Mills, 39-37. Fletcher's shot that rolled around the rim before falling thru the net, 41-41. RayQuan Evans lay up using just four seconds of clock, 51-48.

Defensively FSU played pretty well if you exclude Horton;'s 25 points on 8-16, 7-13 shooting. FSU had a bit of a difficult time closing out on him. But even with his torrid shooting, the Seminoles held Pitt to just 33% from the floor. And normally you probably win that game.


The Bad

13-10 overall, 6-7 ACC, 5th consecutive loss something that last occurred 14 years ago, 3-4 at home vs Pitt, and 6-15 overall vs the Panthers.

With the news of Anthony Polite's wrist surgery, three players are done for the season, and a fourth playing injured. FSU misses their points and maybe more importantly the defense of Osborne and Polite.

Pitt managed to isolate FSU players who are not the 'Noles strongest defenders. Horton took advantage of that with open shots as did Burton who scored 11 of Pitt's last 15 points over the final 5 minutes.

Cleveland is in a pattern of putting up a lot of shots (4-13 n this game) in order to reach double digits. But he took only three from behind the arc making one. Which means he was 3-10 from around the basket.

The Ugly

The NCAA is out of the question now. The team needed to get to 20 wins. With seven regular season games left, that is not going to happen. Not enough quality wins and way too many bad losses, like to Pitt. And certainly not with what is left on the schedule while being so short handed. Now the question is can FSU make the NIT?

Watching a game for nearly 2.5 hours that was so ugly to watch from an offensive POV. As mentioned, Pitt was just 33% and you would think you would win holding a team to that percentage. That is if you actually make baskets. At one point FSU was shooting below 16%. They "improved" from that boosting that percentage all the way up to 29%.


Up Next

FSU's next loss .... er .... game is at UNC on Saturday. 2 PM tip. On ESPN. The Tar Heels have lost one game this season at home. To Duke.

We truly appreciate you, Bill... But why do you put yourself through this??

 

[Bill From Tampa]

We truly appreciate you, Bill... But why do you put yourself through this??

Last night was no doubt tough to watch. But I like the game and I take the bad with the good. Hopefully games like last night don't happen too often.

Saturday is going to be interesting to see how we slow down guys like Bacot. We don't have an AJ Griffin to put out there to guard him.

 

[62Nole]

I wrote off our "dance" chances last week. We are a mere shadow of the team that knocked off Duke and Duh U twice. Too many missing pieces now.

BFT's spouse must do acupuncture on him while he's writing the obit.

 

[billanole]

Ya gotta appreciate FSU continuing to grind even tho the scoring in particular has suffered. If the depth over the years had not given some playing time to plenty of guys, who could imagine where the team would be in responding to the onslaught of injuries…
Kudos to those stepping into the breach. The ACC has no sympathy for those struggling, best of luck as the season continues.

 

[Bill From Tampa]

FSU 74 UNC 94 The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly


The Good

At least it did not turn into something that resembled the 1998 103-55 debacle at UNC. It started that way however.

Player of the game for FSU. Cam'Ron Fletcher with his double double scoring career high in points (16) and a career high in rebounds (10). It was the very last shot of the game that gave him the double when he rebounded the missed shot.

As bad as the first half was (see The Ugly, at least FSU did not shoot 21% like they did in the Pitt game. In the first half vs UNC the Seminoles shot 30%. Unfortunately the Tar Heels were double that.

After the Seminoles managed to get in some sort of offensive rhythm, FSU shot well from the arc, 9-19 (47%), That is something not usually seen from FSU this season. However, UNC's defense is not exactly the best.

The only reason the margin ended with twenty points, the YTar Heel bench bunch came in with 1:12 to play and promptly turned the ball over three straight possessions. FSU made them pay for those miscues.

Some plays of note. Fletcher with the steal going coast to coast for the slam, 39-15. Tanor Ngom with the emphatic slam off the offensive rebound.


The Bad

13-11 overall, 6-8 ACC, 6th straight loss, and FSU still searching for its 5th win at Chapel Hill with the last victory occurring in the 2010 season. UNC is now 13-1 at home this season.

Caleb Mills twisted his ankle at the 12:35 mark of the first half. While he walked off under his own power, he never returned to the game and was in street clothes in the second half. On top of that, Mills has his shooting hand taped. That means FSU was without four of its starters.

FSU tried slowing the Tar Heels down using a zone defense significant minutes in the second half. While it appeared to have some positive effect, IMO it did not. UNC was consistently able to either knock down the three or even more so beat defenders along the base lines for the uncontested lay up or slam dunk.

Matthew Cleveland with a lack of hustle when UNC missed a three and long rebound possibility. Cleveland had just saved the ball from going OB at the other end, but it ended up in UNC hands. He sauntered his way up the court and had a legit chance to get the ball. He did not and UNC scored some second chance points. No excuse for that kind of lack of hustle.

The announcer's curse strikes. "Fletcher is having a good second half." Next play, Fletcher throws a pass that is picked off. One of his 5 turnovers btw.


The Ugly

And it wasn't that close. UNC built a 40 point lead, 64-24 at the half. With the Tar Heels shooting 74% in the first half (75% from the arc), you knew that kind of shooting would not last. But with a huge deficit like that and down by four starters, there was no way FSU was coming back from that.

FSU scored its first point at the 13:03 mark from a Ngom FT. Unfortunately UNC had already scored 18 points. It only got worse when it became a 24-1 run. Fletcher finally got FSU's first basket with 11:32 left in the half.

FSU with no answer for Bacot who recorded his 19th double double.

You knew it was out of hand early when Hanilton had to call his fiirst time out 4:19 into the game. The 'Noles were down by 8-0 at that point. But it looked worse than that.

UNC's Caleb Love with the steal going to coast to coast and then does the showboat slam dunk that clangs off the rim. Good for FSU. It was still ugly to watch.

Cleveland clearly influenced by all the charges he has picked up by not going hard to the basket on a fast break and had his shot blocked.

Cleveland with an air ball FT that was maybe five feet short.


Up Next

Clemson comes to Tallahassee Tuesday for a 7 PM tip. The game will be shown by Bally Sports Network. Good luck to the Seminoles. Going to need it. So far nothing is going FSU's way as Hamilton mentioned post game he has never had to deal with so many starters out with injuries.

 

[NoleLizards]

Guess those NET rankings were right. 😢

 

[Bill From Tampa]

Guess those NET rankings were right. 😢

Yup.

 

[62Nole]

Anyone else see us in the "Elite Eight?"

 

[NoleLizards]

Anyone else see us in the "Elite Eight?"

In the ACC??

 

[Bill From Tampa]

I'm thinking that if we get enough wins to be invited to the NIT, I think we should pass. Why risk more injuries.

 

[Bill From Tampa]

Finally we end the losing streak.

I was only able to catch the last 13 min. Evans with a tremendous game. 28 pts, 4 assists, no turnovers. It was a battle between him and PJ Hall. They both had nearly identical numbers. Fletcher with a knew career high in points with 17 pts.

We were trailing 80-78 with 27 sec left. Evan drove in and got the basket plus the foul. 14 sec left Clemson did have a good look at the three. But it clanged off the far side.

 

[CC0492]

It always surprises me that a team down by only 1 goes for a 3 to win the game. We tried that a few games back and lost, Clemson loses last night. I don't know why that appears to be winning strategy? Go in the paint! You're either going to make the shot, get a foul, or a chance for an offensive put back.

 

[Bill From Tampa]

That surprised me too. That last play was rather odd IMO. We blew up what they wanted to do and forced Brownell to call timeout with 4 sec left. That forced them to speed up a little. We did well on defense to prevent the dribble drive on that final play. Clemson did manage to get the ball to a shooter. Hemenway shoots 41% from the arc. But I think the Tigers had to rush and that ball was off teh back side of the rim as I recall.

We do seem to have a penchant to beat Clemson in dramatic fashion on the last play of games at home. Wasn't it Al THornton who made FTs with .8 left. I think it was at home when Snaer made one of his 6 career game winning threes.

 

[62Nole]

Someone with a great memory help me.

Many years ago now, in a game with Va. Tech, we took a shot with a few seconds left and missed it. Ball comes off the rim near the baseline. Hokie grabs it and flings it the length of the court for a bucket and the win. (story goes that he threw it left-handed but was right-handed. Or vica-versa.

Did I dream this?

 

[Bill From Tampa]

Someone with a great memory help me.

Many years ago now, in a game with Va. Tech, we took a shot with a few seconds left and missed it. Ball comes off the rim near the baseline. Hokie grabs it and flings it the length of the court for a bucket and the win. (story goes that he threw it left-handed but was right-handed. Or vica-versa.

Did I dream this?

No you did not dream that. It was Les Henson. Henson got the rebound from Pernell Tookes missed shot from the FT line and heaved right handed although he was left handed from essentially 94 feet to win the game 79-77.

The game was played on Jan 21, 1980.

I thought he stepped OB but it was not called.

40 years ago, Les Henson hit a full-court, game-winner for Virginia Tech

At the time, it was the longest recorded basketball field goal, according to the Guinness Book of World Records.

www.ncaa.com

 

[Tryit1time]

No you did not dream that. It was Les Henson. Henson got the rebound from Pernell Tookes missed shot from the FT line and heaved right handed although he was left handed from essentially 94 feet to win the game 79-77.

The game was played on Jan 21, 1980.

I thought he stepped OB but it was not called.

40 years ago, Les Henson hit a full-court, game-winner for Virginia Tech

At the time, it was the longest recorded basketball field goal, according to the Guinness Book of World Records.

www.ncaa.com

You basically qouted word for word what I planned to say.
It was in the Guinness Book of World records for around 5 years. Took place in Tully Gym. Man, it sure seems like we have been on the wrong side of these type of headline events way too often.

 

[62Nole]

It is really nice to have a pornographic memory. When I see something
I never forget it..................... except for who or when.

 

[seminoleed]

Watching the replay, I was shocked to see the Noles logo on the court. I've always had it in my head that it happened in Blacksburg.

 

[CC0492]

It is really nice to have a pornographic memory. When I see something
I never forget it..................... except for who or when.

Linda Lovelace also went long, circa 1972.

 

[CC0492]

That surprised me too. That last play was rather odd IMO. We blew up what they wanted to do and forced Brownell to call timeout with 4 sec left. That forced them to speed up a little. We did well on defense to prevent the dribble drive on that final play. Clemson did manage to get the ball to a shooter. Hemenway shoots 41% from the arc. But I think the Tigers had to rush and that ball was off teh back side of the rim as I recall.

We do seem to have a penchant to beat Clemson in dramatic fashion on the last play of games at home. Wasn't it Al THornton who made FTs with .8 left. I think it was at home when Snaer made one of his 6 career game winning threes.

I had to look it up, but here's an awesome look at Snaer's game winning buzzer beaters (4 were 3's and 2 were in the paint). Snaer being clutch

 

[62Nole]

Thanks. That is really something. He was one cool guy in the clutch.