FSU 76 SMU 69 The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
The Good
Now that is how a legendary coach coaching his final home game should go out.
200!!!! As in only the 4th coach in ACC history to win 200 conference regular season wins. And to do it on your very last chance no less. Talk about cutting it close.
FSU improves to 17-14 overall, 8-12 ACC ending a four game losing streak. Coming into the game, FSU was 13-1 when holding the opponent to 70 or less points. Make that 14-1. A well contested game, Florida State played with effort and intensity the entire game. On the tail of the Mustangs for the majority of the first half, the Seminoles finally took a lead with 3:09 left in the period. With just a one point lead at intermission, 33-32, now it was SMU that was right in the FSU's rear view mirror trailing by one to as many as eight points (for a brief time). But FSU never gave up the lead. When it looked like things might be getting a little precarious, defense and rebounding held off the Mustangs giving Hamilton the milestone victory.
Leonard Hamilton said before the game that he didn't want anything to be about him in his final time roaming the Seminole sidelines. The players had other ideas however as Jamir Watkins made it clear after the game that the team wanted to win this game for Leonard.
Malique Ewin making it back to the floor after missing two games due to injury. And man, did FSU need him.
Once again as it has been all season the duo of Watkins and Ewin leading the team in the point scoring department. Watkins with 20 points, 9 of 10 from the FT line, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists. Ewin had a career high 26 points on 10 of 13 shooting to go along with 8 boards. That twosome has been the second most productive tandem in the ACC this season.
Honorable mention to Jerry Deng (11 pts) and his 3 of 7 from behind the arc.
SMU threw just about every defense you could think of at the Seminoles. And the 'Noles handled it well. Very, very little bogging down of the offense or clumsy possessions. Often the team did well getting the ball into the middle and exploited the Mustangs spreading their wing players out wide.
Setting the milestone aside, this was an entertaining game where both offenses utilized a brisk pace. I would not call it a track meet with the two racing up and down the floor. But each team was very decisive with the ball once they crossed the time line.
A focal point of the Seminole's defense was controlling SMU's center, Samet Yigitoglu (say that fast five times). The 'Noles get an "A" for that effort holding him to just three points. Credit Ewin for that who also was a nightmare for the Turkish player to handle as he picked up four fouls trying to guard Malique. And of course we already know about that career high in points.
Plays of the game: Watkins and Ewin connecting right away beating the hard hedge out high as Watkins found Ewin on the screen roll down the lane. Deng misses the three on the left wing, but undaunted receives the ball again and connects from the exact same spot, 15-17. In a sprint, Bostyn Holt lobs the alley oop to Ewin for the slam dunk, 20-22. Watkins with the blocked shot that he retrieves and is down the floor quickly. Fouled on the play, his two FTs give FSU a 31-27 lead. The absolute stuffing of Kario Oquendo's lay up attempt by Taylor Bol Bowen. The defensive stand by the 'Noles with 1:37 left that forced a shot clock violation on SMU. The flurry of points by Ewin showing unstoppable effort as he stuck with it to get the lay up through the 1-3-1 zone, 33-27. Ein with the board getting FSU out on the break finishing with a Deng three from the left corner with the assist to Justin Thomas. Then later Ewin grabs the rebound and hauls down the court pulling up for the finger roll, 38-33. Ewin again with the jumper plus the foul, 45-39. Watkins fighting hard for the offensive board getting the bucket plus the foul, 50-43, with 14:25 to play. Ewin's floater from the FT line, 61-55, at the 8 minute mark. Thomas with his fourth steal in the game picking off the cross court pass then going the distance for the lay up, 65-58, 5:44. Bol Bowen's three from the left wing, 70-63, 2:42. Things were looking favorable for FSU. Watkins staying in front of the man with the ball and drawing the offensive foul. Thomas again with two huge defensive rebounds, the second with :26 left, 74-69. Bol Bowen smartly pulling the ball back out instead of taking the easy lay up with 3.9 seconds left (unlike the Wake Forest game where Thomas took the shot).
The acapella national anthem sung by Bishop James Bolton and his sister. A heck of an arrangement and some difficult harmonies there.
All the former players under Hamilton as well as teammates at UT-Martin showing up for this game.
The Bad
Boopie Miller hitting that three pointer with one second left in the half to make it a 33-32 game and leaving some FSU fans to wonder which FSU team we would see in period two.
Up 50-43, a 5-0 SMU run made things a little uncomfortable. Thankfully Watkins answered with a lay up ten second later and SMU could never quite get close enough again to get past the Seminoles.
Oquendo knifes right through the lane to the left low block, turns and to his surprise has no one even remotely guarding him giving him the easy open short jumper, 53-50. As if that wasn't bad enough, the same thing happened later on only SMU was now down 65-63 with 4:04 to play. Chandler Jackson answered and it was a two possession game again.
Jackson with the ill-advised foul on Matt Cross (who thankfully missed the first of two FTs) with 1:42 left, 72-67. Stopping the clock when your team is leading is not exactly the best strategy as I am sure you all know.
The Ugly
Too bad more fans did not make it to see the game in person. After twenty three years of some memorable moments under Hamilton, he certainly deserved a full house.
Up Next
The ACC tournament on Tuesday. No idea at this time who or what time FSU will play. I am certain it will be an ACC opponent if that helps. But with the "W", it is likely a 10th or 11th seed. Hamilton said during the post game celebration on the floor to the fans in attendance that often a team with some momentum can be that team that surprises. Today's win could be that catalyst for Florida State.
The Good
Now that is how a legendary coach coaching his final home game should go out.
200!!!! As in only the 4th coach in ACC history to win 200 conference regular season wins. And to do it on your very last chance no less. Talk about cutting it close.
FSU improves to 17-14 overall, 8-12 ACC ending a four game losing streak. Coming into the game, FSU was 13-1 when holding the opponent to 70 or less points. Make that 14-1. A well contested game, Florida State played with effort and intensity the entire game. On the tail of the Mustangs for the majority of the first half, the Seminoles finally took a lead with 3:09 left in the period. With just a one point lead at intermission, 33-32, now it was SMU that was right in the FSU's rear view mirror trailing by one to as many as eight points (for a brief time). But FSU never gave up the lead. When it looked like things might be getting a little precarious, defense and rebounding held off the Mustangs giving Hamilton the milestone victory.
Leonard Hamilton said before the game that he didn't want anything to be about him in his final time roaming the Seminole sidelines. The players had other ideas however as Jamir Watkins made it clear after the game that the team wanted to win this game for Leonard.
Malique Ewin making it back to the floor after missing two games due to injury. And man, did FSU need him.
Once again as it has been all season the duo of Watkins and Ewin leading the team in the point scoring department. Watkins with 20 points, 9 of 10 from the FT line, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists. Ewin had a career high 26 points on 10 of 13 shooting to go along with 8 boards. That twosome has been the second most productive tandem in the ACC this season.
Honorable mention to Jerry Deng (11 pts) and his 3 of 7 from behind the arc.
SMU threw just about every defense you could think of at the Seminoles. And the 'Noles handled it well. Very, very little bogging down of the offense or clumsy possessions. Often the team did well getting the ball into the middle and exploited the Mustangs spreading their wing players out wide.
Setting the milestone aside, this was an entertaining game where both offenses utilized a brisk pace. I would not call it a track meet with the two racing up and down the floor. But each team was very decisive with the ball once they crossed the time line.
A focal point of the Seminole's defense was controlling SMU's center, Samet Yigitoglu (say that fast five times). The 'Noles get an "A" for that effort holding him to just three points. Credit Ewin for that who also was a nightmare for the Turkish player to handle as he picked up four fouls trying to guard Malique. And of course we already know about that career high in points.
Plays of the game: Watkins and Ewin connecting right away beating the hard hedge out high as Watkins found Ewin on the screen roll down the lane. Deng misses the three on the left wing, but undaunted receives the ball again and connects from the exact same spot, 15-17. In a sprint, Bostyn Holt lobs the alley oop to Ewin for the slam dunk, 20-22. Watkins with the blocked shot that he retrieves and is down the floor quickly. Fouled on the play, his two FTs give FSU a 31-27 lead. The absolute stuffing of Kario Oquendo's lay up attempt by Taylor Bol Bowen. The defensive stand by the 'Noles with 1:37 left that forced a shot clock violation on SMU. The flurry of points by Ewin showing unstoppable effort as he stuck with it to get the lay up through the 1-3-1 zone, 33-27. Ein with the board getting FSU out on the break finishing with a Deng three from the left corner with the assist to Justin Thomas. Then later Ewin grabs the rebound and hauls down the court pulling up for the finger roll, 38-33. Ewin again with the jumper plus the foul, 45-39. Watkins fighting hard for the offensive board getting the bucket plus the foul, 50-43, with 14:25 to play. Ewin's floater from the FT line, 61-55, at the 8 minute mark. Thomas with his fourth steal in the game picking off the cross court pass then going the distance for the lay up, 65-58, 5:44. Bol Bowen's three from the left wing, 70-63, 2:42. Things were looking favorable for FSU. Watkins staying in front of the man with the ball and drawing the offensive foul. Thomas again with two huge defensive rebounds, the second with :26 left, 74-69. Bol Bowen smartly pulling the ball back out instead of taking the easy lay up with 3.9 seconds left (unlike the Wake Forest game where Thomas took the shot).
The acapella national anthem sung by Bishop James Bolton and his sister. A heck of an arrangement and some difficult harmonies there.
All the former players under Hamilton as well as teammates at UT-Martin showing up for this game.
The Bad
Boopie Miller hitting that three pointer with one second left in the half to make it a 33-32 game and leaving some FSU fans to wonder which FSU team we would see in period two.
Up 50-43, a 5-0 SMU run made things a little uncomfortable. Thankfully Watkins answered with a lay up ten second later and SMU could never quite get close enough again to get past the Seminoles.
Oquendo knifes right through the lane to the left low block, turns and to his surprise has no one even remotely guarding him giving him the easy open short jumper, 53-50. As if that wasn't bad enough, the same thing happened later on only SMU was now down 65-63 with 4:04 to play. Chandler Jackson answered and it was a two possession game again.
Jackson with the ill-advised foul on Matt Cross (who thankfully missed the first of two FTs) with 1:42 left, 72-67. Stopping the clock when your team is leading is not exactly the best strategy as I am sure you all know.
The Ugly
Too bad more fans did not make it to see the game in person. After twenty three years of some memorable moments under Hamilton, he certainly deserved a full house.
Up Next
The ACC tournament on Tuesday. No idea at this time who or what time FSU will play. I am certain it will be an ACC opponent if that helps. But with the "W", it is likely a 10th or 11th seed. Hamilton said during the post game celebration on the floor to the fans in attendance that often a team with some momentum can be that team that surprises. Today's win could be that catalyst for Florida State.
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