FSU 90 Syracuse 74 The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
The Good
Clearly the two week lay off from competition was not a factor for the Seminoles as FSU improves to 10-4 overall, 1-2 ACC (1-2 looks far better than 0-3 which Syracuse now is). It was Leonard Hamilton's 193rd ACC victory moving him past Gary Williams and into 4th place all time. It was a game that featured back and forth lead changes (12) and ties (5) in the first half. It felt like as well as the Seminoles were playing in the first period, they should have been leading by more than the two point margin (36-34) the 'Noles held at intermission. But in the second period, FSU's defense executed much better while an aggressive offense still scored at a solid pace and drew numerous fouls putting the Orange in severe foul difficulty.
Coming into the game, FSU was 9-0 when holding the opponent to less than 70 points and 0-4 when the opponent scored more than 70. So congratulations to the 'Cuse (we think congrats are in order anyway) for breaking that streak. Also, Syracuse had not started the ACC 0-3 since 2015.
Stats in favor of FSU. Points in the paint (40), fast break points (13 for FSU compared to zero for Syracuse) reflecting the aggressive offense, 17 assists on 30 made baskets. On defense, 15 'Cuse turnovers that included 9 steals reflecting the defensive pressure by the 'Noles.
FSU shooting: 54% from the floor, 7-18 (39%) threes, 23-31 (74%) from the line. Reflecting (there was a lot of reflection tonight) the aggressiveness on offense, Syracuse was just 12-17 from the charity stripe. FSU managed to foul out two 'Cuse players and had two more with four fouls each.
Players of the game: An offense by committee with five FSU players in double digits. Dequan Davis with 18 points (an ACC high for the FR) that included 10-10 from the FT line. Jamir Watkins (16) who had a tough shooting night of 3-10 (clearly the game plan of teams is to stop the redshirt senior) but was 9-13 from the charity line to go along with 5 rebounds. Taylor Bol Bowen and Malique Ewin each with 14. Bol had a double double with his 10 rebounds. For Ewin, it was his 11th consecutive game scoring in double digits. He added 7 boards. Bostyn Holt scored 10 off the bench.
Plays of the game: Davis intercepting the cross court pass and going coast to coast for the lay up, 10-7. The 'Cuse defense for some inexplicable reason ignored Ewin along the baseline for the wide open dunk, 12-12. Bol Bowen with the spin move for the bank shot, 16-12. Ewin with the pin point bounce pass between two defenders to Watkins along the baseline. 18-12. Bol Bowen with the lob to Ewin and the lay up, 31-26. Ewin bodies up and spins off the defender for the lay up, 54-48. Alier Maluk pulling the ball right put of the hands of the 'Cuse player. Reflecting how the game was slipping away from Syracuse, HC Adrian Autry called a timeout at the 8:15 mark not even waiting for the official's timeout. The eight minute or so stretch the second unit was on the floor. They were doing so well, Hamilton just left them out there and keep playing. Chandler Jackson who had just received the pass at the FT line and could have taken the shot, saw a better shot and passed to Ewin cutting along the baseline to the rim. The slam dunk gave FSU a 79-67 a commanding lead with 3 minutes remaining.
The Bad
Bol Bowen called for a bogus charging call as he backed down the defender. A charge generally is when the defender is sent crashing to the floor. Come on ref!! This was not even close.
Watkins with a silly foul in SU's back court with just 1:21 to play and FSU up by 15.
The Ugly
Ewin with good defense preventing a Syracuse basket under the rim only to make a lengthy outlet pass right to Lucas Taylor. As you probably know, Taylor is not on FSU's roster.
Early on it looked like a long night was in store for FSU on the boards when on one possession, Syracuse had four offensive rebounds eventually making the basket to trail 18-16. The 'Cuse at that point led 10-5 on the boards with 8 on the offensive end. Fortunately FSU corrected that issue to win that battle 36-34 and allowed just two more ORb's by the 'Cuse.
Naheem McLeod. You likely recall his name when he was on the FSU roster. Now he is on the Syracuse roster. He has played in four games this season. Tonight was not one of those four.
Up Next
FSU travels to Coral Gables to take on the reeling Miami Hurricanes who are now 4-10 on the season after earlier today losing a four point lead to VT with seconds remaining (that is after blowing a 19 point lead against BC in their previous game). Another familiar name, Matthew Cleveland, launched a three quarters court pass in desperation to win the game, but was way wide of the basket. Wide right as a matter of fact. The game is Wednesday night with tip off at 7 PM and will be broadcast on the ACCN. FSU has won 12 of the last 13 games against the 'Canes.
The Good
Clearly the two week lay off from competition was not a factor for the Seminoles as FSU improves to 10-4 overall, 1-2 ACC (1-2 looks far better than 0-3 which Syracuse now is). It was Leonard Hamilton's 193rd ACC victory moving him past Gary Williams and into 4th place all time. It was a game that featured back and forth lead changes (12) and ties (5) in the first half. It felt like as well as the Seminoles were playing in the first period, they should have been leading by more than the two point margin (36-34) the 'Noles held at intermission. But in the second period, FSU's defense executed much better while an aggressive offense still scored at a solid pace and drew numerous fouls putting the Orange in severe foul difficulty.
Coming into the game, FSU was 9-0 when holding the opponent to less than 70 points and 0-4 when the opponent scored more than 70. So congratulations to the 'Cuse (we think congrats are in order anyway) for breaking that streak. Also, Syracuse had not started the ACC 0-3 since 2015.
Stats in favor of FSU. Points in the paint (40), fast break points (13 for FSU compared to zero for Syracuse) reflecting the aggressive offense, 17 assists on 30 made baskets. On defense, 15 'Cuse turnovers that included 9 steals reflecting the defensive pressure by the 'Noles.
FSU shooting: 54% from the floor, 7-18 (39%) threes, 23-31 (74%) from the line. Reflecting (there was a lot of reflection tonight) the aggressiveness on offense, Syracuse was just 12-17 from the charity stripe. FSU managed to foul out two 'Cuse players and had two more with four fouls each.
Players of the game: An offense by committee with five FSU players in double digits. Dequan Davis with 18 points (an ACC high for the FR) that included 10-10 from the FT line. Jamir Watkins (16) who had a tough shooting night of 3-10 (clearly the game plan of teams is to stop the redshirt senior) but was 9-13 from the charity line to go along with 5 rebounds. Taylor Bol Bowen and Malique Ewin each with 14. Bol had a double double with his 10 rebounds. For Ewin, it was his 11th consecutive game scoring in double digits. He added 7 boards. Bostyn Holt scored 10 off the bench.
Plays of the game: Davis intercepting the cross court pass and going coast to coast for the lay up, 10-7. The 'Cuse defense for some inexplicable reason ignored Ewin along the baseline for the wide open dunk, 12-12. Bol Bowen with the spin move for the bank shot, 16-12. Ewin with the pin point bounce pass between two defenders to Watkins along the baseline. 18-12. Bol Bowen with the lob to Ewin and the lay up, 31-26. Ewin bodies up and spins off the defender for the lay up, 54-48. Alier Maluk pulling the ball right put of the hands of the 'Cuse player. Reflecting how the game was slipping away from Syracuse, HC Adrian Autry called a timeout at the 8:15 mark not even waiting for the official's timeout. The eight minute or so stretch the second unit was on the floor. They were doing so well, Hamilton just left them out there and keep playing. Chandler Jackson who had just received the pass at the FT line and could have taken the shot, saw a better shot and passed to Ewin cutting along the baseline to the rim. The slam dunk gave FSU a 79-67 a commanding lead with 3 minutes remaining.
The Bad
Bol Bowen called for a bogus charging call as he backed down the defender. A charge generally is when the defender is sent crashing to the floor. Come on ref!! This was not even close.
Watkins with a silly foul in SU's back court with just 1:21 to play and FSU up by 15.
The Ugly
Ewin with good defense preventing a Syracuse basket under the rim only to make a lengthy outlet pass right to Lucas Taylor. As you probably know, Taylor is not on FSU's roster.
Early on it looked like a long night was in store for FSU on the boards when on one possession, Syracuse had four offensive rebounds eventually making the basket to trail 18-16. The 'Cuse at that point led 10-5 on the boards with 8 on the offensive end. Fortunately FSU corrected that issue to win that battle 36-34 and allowed just two more ORb's by the 'Cuse.
Naheem McLeod. You likely recall his name when he was on the FSU roster. Now he is on the Syracuse roster. He has played in four games this season. Tonight was not one of those four.
Up Next
FSU travels to Coral Gables to take on the reeling Miami Hurricanes who are now 4-10 on the season after earlier today losing a four point lead to VT with seconds remaining (that is after blowing a 19 point lead against BC in their previous game). Another familiar name, Matthew Cleveland, launched a three quarters court pass in desperation to win the game, but was way wide of the basket. Wide right as a matter of fact. The game is Wednesday night with tip off at 7 PM and will be broadcast on the ACCN. FSU has won 12 of the last 13 games against the 'Canes.
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