FSU 67 Duke 76 The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
The Good
Jamir Watkins leading the team in scoring with 15 points shooting 7-11 and added four blocked shots as well. It was Watkins' 11th consecutive game in double digits and his 20th game this season.
Cameron Corhen with 14 points and almost a double double with 9 rebounds. Like Watkins, Corhen was very efficient offensively connecting on 7-10 from the floor.
Overall FSU outshot Duke 49% to 46%. But in the end 10 three pointers to just 4 for FSU made a difference.
The bench, 32-5 (all by one player) over Duke.
The Seminoles actually played pretty well defensively. The 'Noles were strong in those categories they are usually dominant in. Such as steals (9), blocked shots (9), and forcing turnovers (17). The 17 turnovers by Duke was a season high for the Blue Devils.
Plays of the game: Darin Green's three immediately followed by Green's deflecting a pass into the lane. Jalen Warley drives the length of the floor dishing off to Corhen for the lay up and a 14-8 lead. Primo Spears with the steal going coast to coast and flips the ball off the backboard with his left hand to pull FSU to within two, 22-20. Jaylen Gainey with the defense forcing a poor shot with the rebound eventually going to Spears speeding down the floor avoiding the defender with a nice step to his right for the lay up, 37-33 Duke. Caleb Foster looking like an easy lay up off the back door play erased by Watkins coming out of nowhere to block the attempt. Gainey with a block of Kyle Filipowski's shot. Always a good thing to see that guy get stuffed. Warley picking Filipowski's pocket going coast to coast for the lay up keeping FSU in the game, 53-45. Warley with the alley oop to Corhen for the two handed slam, 50-43.
The Bad
FSU is now barely above .500 at 13-12 and right at .500 in the ACC, 7-7. The Seminoles are now 1-5 in their last six games. Duke improves its record against FSU to 44-11. There are six regular season games left on the schedule. It is no longer a matter of making the NCAA or even the NIT. It is now a matter of finishing with a winning record. Three wins will achieve that. Three of the six are at home. Winning three at home does not feel so sure anymore given FSU's now 7-7 record in the DLTCC.
Three things led to this latest loss. One is a very familiar problems. One is becoming a trend. The third was just one of those things that happen in games. 1. Rebounding. Hammered once more on the boards and especially on the offensive end. Duke outrebounded the 'Noles 36-27, 15-9. And it wasn't that close as a flurry of offensive rebounds on the last FSU basket closed the gap. Duke's 15 ORb's were converted to 13 second chance points. FSU had by my count had four. 2. Points off turnovers. FSU's 14 turnovers, most of which that were of the unforced variety, gave Duke 18 points. I lost track of FSU's total. But it certainly was not 18 points. 3. One guy went off and had the game of his career so far. Jared McCain tied Duke's freshman scoring record in a game with 35 points. By the 11:19 mark of the first half, McCain had already eclipsed his 12.9 season average. The bulk of those 35 points came off of his 8-11 threes. The guy could not miss. His fifth three pointer came from 38 feet out. And McCain enjoyed every one of them as he shushed the FSU crowd after each made FG. He finally missed a shot with 4:42 left in the half that drew applause. Duke had only one other player in double figures and just six scored.
Where it started to go down hill. FSU led 14-8. Duke proceeded to go on a 21-8 run to lead 29-22. That was pretty much the game as the lead fluctuated mostly between seven and eleven points the rest of the game.
The refs who let this one get chippy. Case in point Filipowski and Watkins have a close encounter of the unwelcomed kind that led to a little elbowing. Fil actually elbowed Jamir a second time with more than a little force. No whistle. But Darin, they made sure to whistle him for handing the ball to McCain. Oh, and FSU finally took its first FT at the 4:58 mark. It was the typical favoritism Duke often receives as its reputation seems to precede them.
Here is hoping Josh Nickelberry eventually learns how to throw a cross court pass without it being picked off and resulting in a fast break basket the other way. To top it he fouled the shooter on the play as well.
The Ugly
From the 15:53 mark to 10:35 left in the game, Duke was 1 of 13 from the floor. With nearly 16 minutes to play, Duke led 50-43. Five plus minutes later the score was 53-47. Despite Duke shooting way worse than poorly, FSU was able to only knock one point off the lead.
The span of four minutes in the second period that saw FSU turn the ball over with four unforced turnovers. My fav would be the bounce pass into the lane that had somewhat less than zip on the ball and was intercepted. Would have helped if the receiver taken a step to the ball.
"Loved" the defensive breakdown that left Mark Mitchell all alone under the basket for the totally uncontested slam dunk and a 71-61 Duke lead and time starting to get short.
Spears pass to Corhen that had a tad more zip to it than you might to see. The ball went right through Corhen's hands and into McCain's. Just showing off now, he dribbled inside the arc, realized he was unguarded, stepped back behind the line and easily nailed the three (what else would have expected at that point) to end the half 44-34.
Up Next
Boston College comes to town on Tuesday for a 7 PM tip and aired on the ACCN. BC is currently 14-10, 5-8 and losing to Miami 73-72 as I write. with 4:14 to play. BTW, BC is favored over the Hurricanes. The Eagles is the lone victory for FSU in its last six games. And it almost was another L had it not been for Boston College being unable to get a final shot off and losing 63-62.
The Good
Jamir Watkins leading the team in scoring with 15 points shooting 7-11 and added four blocked shots as well. It was Watkins' 11th consecutive game in double digits and his 20th game this season.
Cameron Corhen with 14 points and almost a double double with 9 rebounds. Like Watkins, Corhen was very efficient offensively connecting on 7-10 from the floor.
Overall FSU outshot Duke 49% to 46%. But in the end 10 three pointers to just 4 for FSU made a difference.
The bench, 32-5 (all by one player) over Duke.
The Seminoles actually played pretty well defensively. The 'Noles were strong in those categories they are usually dominant in. Such as steals (9), blocked shots (9), and forcing turnovers (17). The 17 turnovers by Duke was a season high for the Blue Devils.
Plays of the game: Darin Green's three immediately followed by Green's deflecting a pass into the lane. Jalen Warley drives the length of the floor dishing off to Corhen for the lay up and a 14-8 lead. Primo Spears with the steal going coast to coast and flips the ball off the backboard with his left hand to pull FSU to within two, 22-20. Jaylen Gainey with the defense forcing a poor shot with the rebound eventually going to Spears speeding down the floor avoiding the defender with a nice step to his right for the lay up, 37-33 Duke. Caleb Foster looking like an easy lay up off the back door play erased by Watkins coming out of nowhere to block the attempt. Gainey with a block of Kyle Filipowski's shot. Always a good thing to see that guy get stuffed. Warley picking Filipowski's pocket going coast to coast for the lay up keeping FSU in the game, 53-45. Warley with the alley oop to Corhen for the two handed slam, 50-43.
The Bad
FSU is now barely above .500 at 13-12 and right at .500 in the ACC, 7-7. The Seminoles are now 1-5 in their last six games. Duke improves its record against FSU to 44-11. There are six regular season games left on the schedule. It is no longer a matter of making the NCAA or even the NIT. It is now a matter of finishing with a winning record. Three wins will achieve that. Three of the six are at home. Winning three at home does not feel so sure anymore given FSU's now 7-7 record in the DLTCC.
Three things led to this latest loss. One is a very familiar problems. One is becoming a trend. The third was just one of those things that happen in games. 1. Rebounding. Hammered once more on the boards and especially on the offensive end. Duke outrebounded the 'Noles 36-27, 15-9. And it wasn't that close as a flurry of offensive rebounds on the last FSU basket closed the gap. Duke's 15 ORb's were converted to 13 second chance points. FSU had by my count had four. 2. Points off turnovers. FSU's 14 turnovers, most of which that were of the unforced variety, gave Duke 18 points. I lost track of FSU's total. But it certainly was not 18 points. 3. One guy went off and had the game of his career so far. Jared McCain tied Duke's freshman scoring record in a game with 35 points. By the 11:19 mark of the first half, McCain had already eclipsed his 12.9 season average. The bulk of those 35 points came off of his 8-11 threes. The guy could not miss. His fifth three pointer came from 38 feet out. And McCain enjoyed every one of them as he shushed the FSU crowd after each made FG. He finally missed a shot with 4:42 left in the half that drew applause. Duke had only one other player in double figures and just six scored.
Where it started to go down hill. FSU led 14-8. Duke proceeded to go on a 21-8 run to lead 29-22. That was pretty much the game as the lead fluctuated mostly between seven and eleven points the rest of the game.
The refs who let this one get chippy. Case in point Filipowski and Watkins have a close encounter of the unwelcomed kind that led to a little elbowing. Fil actually elbowed Jamir a second time with more than a little force. No whistle. But Darin, they made sure to whistle him for handing the ball to McCain. Oh, and FSU finally took its first FT at the 4:58 mark. It was the typical favoritism Duke often receives as its reputation seems to precede them.
Here is hoping Josh Nickelberry eventually learns how to throw a cross court pass without it being picked off and resulting in a fast break basket the other way. To top it he fouled the shooter on the play as well.
The Ugly
From the 15:53 mark to 10:35 left in the game, Duke was 1 of 13 from the floor. With nearly 16 minutes to play, Duke led 50-43. Five plus minutes later the score was 53-47. Despite Duke shooting way worse than poorly, FSU was able to only knock one point off the lead.
The span of four minutes in the second period that saw FSU turn the ball over with four unforced turnovers. My fav would be the bounce pass into the lane that had somewhat less than zip on the ball and was intercepted. Would have helped if the receiver taken a step to the ball.
"Loved" the defensive breakdown that left Mark Mitchell all alone under the basket for the totally uncontested slam dunk and a 71-61 Duke lead and time starting to get short.
Spears pass to Corhen that had a tad more zip to it than you might to see. The ball went right through Corhen's hands and into McCain's. Just showing off now, he dribbled inside the arc, realized he was unguarded, stepped back behind the line and easily nailed the three (what else would have expected at that point) to end the half 44-34.
Up Next
Boston College comes to town on Tuesday for a 7 PM tip and aired on the ACCN. BC is currently 14-10, 5-8 and losing to Miami 73-72 as I write. with 4:14 to play. BTW, BC is favored over the Hurricanes. The Eagles is the lone victory for FSU in its last six games. And it almost was another L had it not been for Boston College being unable to get a final shot off and losing 63-62.
