FSU 72 USF 88 The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
The Good
Baba Miller with his first career double double, 11 pts and 11 boards (a career high).
Jamir Watkins did manage to lead the team with 15 points before fouling out in a whistle fest in the second half second half.
The press used late in the second half by FSU paid some dividends that brought the Seminoles within thirteen, 84-71.
FSU did mange to make it single digits closing the score to 50-41. It was REALLY down hill after that.
In FSU's previous two games, the 'Noles had double digit leads (17 and 14 vs UGA at UNC) only to eventually lose the games. Today, FSU did not have to concern themselves with giving up a big lead as USF led the entire game. An 8-0 USF run started the game. FSU did answer with a 7-0 run, but that would be as close as they would come to taking a lead.
The Bad
With the loss, FSU evens up its record at 4-4. Coming into this year's Orange Bowl Classic, FSU's record at the Classic was 9-3. Make that 9-4. Also, FSU never had lost to a team from Florida in the Classic. Until today. USF came into the game 2-4 having lost three straight and were 6.5 point underdogs to the 'Noles. The Seminoles embarrassingly lost by 16.
USF has one of the top scoring benches in the country averaging 34 ppg. Today the Bulls bench chipped in 37. The Seminoles did manage to get 24 from its reserves.
FSU had a week off and a chance to get some fresh legs. In watching the game, you would have thought FSU had played 3 games in five days because the Bulls beat the 'Noles up and down the floor all game long. They were noticeably quicker and more energetic than the turquoise clad Seminoles.
Darin Green had a terrible game as he was harassed all game long by the USF defense. Clearly part of USF's game plan was to take away Darin which they did very successfully. Darin's lone basket was one of the vary rare times he was wide open connecting on a three from above the key to make the score 50-41.
Clearly USF looked to be the fresher and quicker team. How does a team that had a week off as the Seminoles did look so lackluster? The Bulls play a very physical game and today was no exception as there was contact on every possession. It certainly had an effect on the play of the Seminoles. It also resulted in 77 combined shots at the foul line especially in the second half dragging the game down to a crawl. Two and a half hours after tip off, the game mercifully came to a sad end if you are a Seminole fan.
The Ugly
This should sum it up. From color analyst Jacob Ridenour, "No one expected an "offensive explosion from a team not inclined to offensive explosions". Added Leonard Hamilton post game, "We've been consistently inconsistent". Case in point, De'Ante Green's pass to Baba, Unfortunately Miller went one way and the ball another sailing into the not so cheap courtside seats. Things like that plagued FSU throughout the game at inopportune times.
FSU is ranked 6th in three point defense. USF averages 5 threes per game and shooting an AAC worst 24%. Today the Bulls shot 52% connecting on a season high of 12 of 23 from the arc (the previous season high was 8). Interestingly Hamilton said in his pre game show that FSU had a reputation of guarding the arc very well forcing teams to adjust their offenses. Ummm, today I would call that an epic fail for the 'Noles when your opponent not known for its long range shooting rips you to shreds.
Remember that one and only basket by Darin made (out of 7 attempts)? He scored it at the 13:50 mark. FSU did not make another basket until 5:42 was left on the clock. By then the score was 71-48 thanks to an 18-5 USF run. The game for all practical purposes was over at that point. I lost track, but FSU connected on a jumper right before the second TV timeout of the first half. The game was well into the second half before FSU would hit another jump shot. Oh, FSU did get the lead down to 13, but you could see the Seminoles did not have enough firepower. More so the Bulls lost some focus and struggled against the FSU press turning the ball over.
FTs. Shooting 51% is dadgum good. UNLESS that is your percentage from the line. FSU was a miserable 18 of 35 in its charity shots. Baba was particularly bad with a 4 of 13.
The news that really came as no surprise that Cam'Ron Fletcher is lost for the season after suffering another terrible injury to the same leg he injured almost to the day he injured it last season.
Up Next
FSU will take another week off for finals and hopefully get back into the win column when they return. The 'Noles will face future ACC member and current AAC member SMU at the TLCCC. Tip is at 8 PM and will be aired on the ACCN. The 6-4 Mustangs are holding opponents to 38% from the floor and 28% from the arc.
The Good
Baba Miller with his first career double double, 11 pts and 11 boards (a career high).
Jamir Watkins did manage to lead the team with 15 points before fouling out in a whistle fest in the second half second half.
The press used late in the second half by FSU paid some dividends that brought the Seminoles within thirteen, 84-71.
FSU did mange to make it single digits closing the score to 50-41. It was REALLY down hill after that.
In FSU's previous two games, the 'Noles had double digit leads (17 and 14 vs UGA at UNC) only to eventually lose the games. Today, FSU did not have to concern themselves with giving up a big lead as USF led the entire game. An 8-0 USF run started the game. FSU did answer with a 7-0 run, but that would be as close as they would come to taking a lead.
The Bad
With the loss, FSU evens up its record at 4-4. Coming into this year's Orange Bowl Classic, FSU's record at the Classic was 9-3. Make that 9-4. Also, FSU never had lost to a team from Florida in the Classic. Until today. USF came into the game 2-4 having lost three straight and were 6.5 point underdogs to the 'Noles. The Seminoles embarrassingly lost by 16.
USF has one of the top scoring benches in the country averaging 34 ppg. Today the Bulls bench chipped in 37. The Seminoles did manage to get 24 from its reserves.
FSU had a week off and a chance to get some fresh legs. In watching the game, you would have thought FSU had played 3 games in five days because the Bulls beat the 'Noles up and down the floor all game long. They were noticeably quicker and more energetic than the turquoise clad Seminoles.
Darin Green had a terrible game as he was harassed all game long by the USF defense. Clearly part of USF's game plan was to take away Darin which they did very successfully. Darin's lone basket was one of the vary rare times he was wide open connecting on a three from above the key to make the score 50-41.
Clearly USF looked to be the fresher and quicker team. How does a team that had a week off as the Seminoles did look so lackluster? The Bulls play a very physical game and today was no exception as there was contact on every possession. It certainly had an effect on the play of the Seminoles. It also resulted in 77 combined shots at the foul line especially in the second half dragging the game down to a crawl. Two and a half hours after tip off, the game mercifully came to a sad end if you are a Seminole fan.
The Ugly
This should sum it up. From color analyst Jacob Ridenour, "No one expected an "offensive explosion from a team not inclined to offensive explosions". Added Leonard Hamilton post game, "We've been consistently inconsistent". Case in point, De'Ante Green's pass to Baba, Unfortunately Miller went one way and the ball another sailing into the not so cheap courtside seats. Things like that plagued FSU throughout the game at inopportune times.
FSU is ranked 6th in three point defense. USF averages 5 threes per game and shooting an AAC worst 24%. Today the Bulls shot 52% connecting on a season high of 12 of 23 from the arc (the previous season high was 8). Interestingly Hamilton said in his pre game show that FSU had a reputation of guarding the arc very well forcing teams to adjust their offenses. Ummm, today I would call that an epic fail for the 'Noles when your opponent not known for its long range shooting rips you to shreds.
Remember that one and only basket by Darin made (out of 7 attempts)? He scored it at the 13:50 mark. FSU did not make another basket until 5:42 was left on the clock. By then the score was 71-48 thanks to an 18-5 USF run. The game for all practical purposes was over at that point. I lost track, but FSU connected on a jumper right before the second TV timeout of the first half. The game was well into the second half before FSU would hit another jump shot. Oh, FSU did get the lead down to 13, but you could see the Seminoles did not have enough firepower. More so the Bulls lost some focus and struggled against the FSU press turning the ball over.
FTs. Shooting 51% is dadgum good. UNLESS that is your percentage from the line. FSU was a miserable 18 of 35 in its charity shots. Baba was particularly bad with a 4 of 13.
The news that really came as no surprise that Cam'Ron Fletcher is lost for the season after suffering another terrible injury to the same leg he injured almost to the day he injured it last season.
Up Next
FSU will take another week off for finals and hopefully get back into the win column when they return. The 'Noles will face future ACC member and current AAC member SMU at the TLCCC. Tip is at 8 PM and will be aired on the ACCN. The 6-4 Mustangs are holding opponents to 38% from the floor and 28% from the arc.
