FSU Basketball Weekly Preview: December 18th-24th

Here’s a preview of FSU basketball and their upcoming week of games scheduled for play during the 2017-18 basketball season.

For close to 33 minutes of game action Saturday, FSU basketball seemed like they were going to tie a school record for the best start in their 71-season history. Unfortunately for Leonard Hamilton’s team, the game was 40 minutes long and the Seminoles suffered their first lost of the season in their only game last week.

While the Noles can now kiss a perfect season goodbye (sarcasm, of course) they now turn their attention to the final two non-conference games of the regular season ahead of an ACC opening slate that many people would not wish on their worst foes – with the goal still in sight of making it back to the NCAA tournament.

Here’s our recap of last week’s action and a preview of this week’s games for the Seminoles.

Last Week Recap

For the ninth time in program history, FSU basketball traveled to the suburbs of Fort Lauderdale to take part in the annual Orange Bowl basketball classic. Battling an Oklahoma State team that could make things interesting in the Big 12 this season, the Seminoles jumped out to a four-point lead at the half despite committing 17 turnovers in the first 20 minutes of the game.

In the second half, the Cowboys wouldn’t go away and actually took the lead early on before the Seminoles defense hunkered down and held Oklahoma State to one point over a seven and a half minute frame and it looked like things would go their way.

However, the Cowboys got the final basket when Mitchell Solomon tipped in a rebound and the Seminoles suffered their first loss of the season in the 71-70 setback. Phil Cofer led all FSU scorers with 22 points while Trance Mann added 20 points.

Opponent Preview

The Seminoles return to Tallahassee on Monday for a primetime battle against Charleston Southern at 7 p.m. inside the Tucker Center. The Buccaneers head to the Sunshine State with a record of 4-5 and losers of their last three games – all of which came by eight points or less, including an overtime loss to South Carolina State and a five point setback in their last game against Eastern Kentucky.

On Thursday, FSU basketball will be back on the court when they take on the Southern Miss Golden Eagles in the first of two games between the schools in one week ahead of the football teams meeting in the Independence Bowl next week. USM enters the game with a 7-4 record, which includes four straight wins after beating William Carey on Saturday.

Interesting Fact

The battle between the Seminoles and Golden Eagles will be another chance for Florida State to pull off the double victory in both football and men’s basketball. Since the Noles joined the ACC as a member in both sports in 1992 – aside from conference foes, Miami and Florida – Florida State has played four teams in both sports in the same season.

Next: Noles getting love from Bracketology projections

In 1992, FSU beat Tulane in football and the NCAA basketball tournament the following March. In the 2001 season, the Seminoles beat Virginia Tech in the Gator Bowl and in basketball just days before. In 2011, the double wins came against Charleston Southern while 2014 saw the Noles beat The Citadel in both sports.