FSU Basketball Recap: Noles Down Rival Miami For Perfect Home Record

The FSU basketball team closes out the 2016-17 season with a big win against the rival Miami Hurricanes – finishing the year 18-0 at home.

You could not have asked for a better close to the 2016-’17 season for FSU basketball. The Seminoles hard-fought 66-57 victory over the Miami Hurricanes gave them a 24-7 (12-6 conf.) record for the year. It also granted them a 2-seed in the conference tournament, meaning that Florida State gets the first two rounds off and doesn’t play until Thursday. (Huge.)

Today’s game was a grueling one, as they always are against Jim Larranaga teams. Their hard man-to-man defense held FSU mostly in check. They shot 43.9 percent from the floor, but just 4-for-19 from three. The Hurricanes pressure seemed to affect Jonathan Isaac the most, who finished the game with two points, missing all three of his attempts.

Other players, though, were able to step up. We’ll get to that in a bit.

The Seminoles defended well, holding Miami to 41.9 percent shooting, to go with 13 turnovers. Freshman stud Bruce Brown scored 10 points on nine shot attempts, Davon Reed finished with 22 on 11, while the rest of the team combined for 25 points. The ‘Canes had a stretch where they made just 1-of-11 shots late in the second half, and that was when FSU was able to make their move.

Let’s hand out some hardware!

Player of the Game

I should go with Dwayne Bacon here. After all, he was one of two FSU players who scored in double-digits. He finished with 23 points, making eight of his 17 shots, while nailing a huge three-pointer that felt like a dagger.

But Miami was able to come back, and with the Seminoles needing to make their FT’s, Bake missed two in a row. The lead was at five, and on the rebound, Terrance Mann fouled a Hurricane. Luckily, it was a one-and-one and he missed the first look. If not, the final minute could have gone far differently.

So instead, I’m giving it to Jarquez Smith. The maligned senior center had one of his better games of the season, scoring 10 points, securing five rebounds, and handing out a vital (and beautiful) assist with the game teetering. Not to mention this nasty put-back dunk.

Smith has been solid all year long, hopefully today’s performance gives his momentum to have a huge postseason.

Florida State Seminoles Basketball

Ryan Reid Unsung Hero

For our glue man of the game, we’re going with Christ Koumadje. The sophomore center played vital minutes late, helping the Seminoles close their rival out.

Koumadje had six points, making all three of his shot attempts, while bringing down two rebounds and blocking one shot.

That’s the exact type of quiet stat line that earns you a Ryen Reid Unsung Hero Award, I can tell you that right now. Especially when you’re closing the game out. (Michael Ojo did come in for the final 45 seconds, but he did his best to help Miami close the gap. He dropped a crucial pass from Mann on an inbound, and then fouled a Hurricanes player.)

Some final recognition

Quickly, today’s game broke one school record, while tying another.

Florida Sate’s 24 regular season wins is the most in school history.

And their 18-0 record in Tallahassee since the team’s glory days in the 1970’s.

So no matter how frustrating they may have been occasionally, don’t forget this season was truly special. Hopefully we can make it even special-er (yes, that’s a word) in the conference and NCAA tournaments.

Highlights

You guys know I’m a sucker for these, too.

Up next

Now, the Seminoles wait. Thankfully, they don’t have to play again until Thursday at 7 pm ET. Their opponent will be either Virginia Tech, Boston College or Wake Forest. (Time to get hot, BC.)

Nothing left to say but thanks for reading this season, and be sure to stick with us for postseason play. Go ‘Noles!