FSU (9-4, 0-2 ACC) returns to the court on Saturday after a long break for the holidays, playing host to Syracuse (6-7, 0-2). The game will tip off at 6 p.m. on the ACC Network. Captain obvious, but neither team can afford to start 0-3 in ACC play and have any postseason aspirations in March.
The Seminoles are projected to go 5-3 in January by KenPom, which has FSU defeating Syracuse by nine points. That would put FSU at 5-5 in the ACC going into what's a tougher February slate of games.
FSU's top two leading scorers – senior All-America candidate Jamir Watkins and junior Malique Ewin – both enter Saturday’s game against the Orange having scored in double figures in 10 straight games dating to Nov. 15 vs. Florida. Watkins averages 19.5 points and 4.6 rebounds, while Ewin averages 13.2 points and 7.3 rebounds.
Watkins has scored 20 or more points in four straight games (24 at NC State, 29 vs Tulane, 23 vs. Winthrop and 25 vs. Louisville). He has 1,290 career points and 147 career steals.
As has been the storyline, FSU needs more scoring from 3-10 on the roster. Daquan Davis has had some good games, including nine points vs. Louisville.
The Seminoles lead the ACC in steals (9.2) and blocks (5.2).
They are also shooting better from long range this season (33.6) compared to a year ago (31.7).
Leonard Hamilton did not speak with the media leading up to the game, which was intentional due to the lawsuit with six former players. I'll be curious to see if he addresses it postgame or declines questions.
The Seminoles are projected to go 5-3 in January by KenPom, which has FSU defeating Syracuse by nine points. That would put FSU at 5-5 in the ACC going into what's a tougher February slate of games.
FSU's top two leading scorers – senior All-America candidate Jamir Watkins and junior Malique Ewin – both enter Saturday’s game against the Orange having scored in double figures in 10 straight games dating to Nov. 15 vs. Florida. Watkins averages 19.5 points and 4.6 rebounds, while Ewin averages 13.2 points and 7.3 rebounds.
Watkins has scored 20 or more points in four straight games (24 at NC State, 29 vs Tulane, 23 vs. Winthrop and 25 vs. Louisville). He has 1,290 career points and 147 career steals.
As has been the storyline, FSU needs more scoring from 3-10 on the roster. Daquan Davis has had some good games, including nine points vs. Louisville.
The Seminoles lead the ACC in steals (9.2) and blocks (5.2).
They are also shooting better from long range this season (33.6) compared to a year ago (31.7).
Leonard Hamilton did not speak with the media leading up to the game, which was intentional due to the lawsuit with six former players. I'll be curious to see if he addresses it postgame or declines questions.
