FSU Basketball Weekly Preview: January 1st-7th
By Jason Parker
Here’s a preview of FSU basketball and their upcoming week of games scheduled for play during the 2017-18 basketball season.
After over a week off for the holidays, FSU basketball had just one time to hit the court this week – as they opened ACC play with one of the most difficult challenges that any team in the conference can have: opening their season inside Cameron Indoor Stadium for a showdown with the fourth ranked Duke Blue Devils.
Even with the defeat on Saturday, the Seminoles don’t have long to cry about it with two games this week against ranked foes from the conference – including one showdown with the defending national champs and another contest against an in-state foe that have hopes of their own to make a deep NCAA Tournament run.
Florida State Seminoles Basketball
Here’s our recap of last week’s action and a preview of this week’s games for the Seminoles.
Last Week Recap
Since someone at the scheduling office for ACC basketball doesn’t like the Noles for an unknown reason (much like last season with a string of six games against ranked foes), Florida State started their season of conference games with a showdown against Duke, who was hoping to avoid an 0-2 start for their ACC schedule.
FSU basketball made people raise their eyebrows in the first half when they took a 49-45 lead into the locker room, with Phil Cofer coming up with 22 first half points (finishing the game with 28 points). The second half saw a back and forth battle, with Braian Angola hitting several clutch three pointers deep into the final frame, part of his 23 points on the day.
Unfortunately, the Blue Devils would score the game’s final nine points and get their first ACC victory of the season with a final score of 100-93.
Opponent Preview
The Seminoles return home on Wednesday nigh for a showdown with the North Carolina Tar Heels at 7 p.m. inside the Tucker Center. At 12-2 on the season, head coach Roy Williams’ team bounced back from an embarrassing loss to Wofford with two wins in a week period, defeating Ohio State and winning their ACC opener against Wake Forest.
On Sunday, FSU basketball will head down to South Florida for the first of their two annual showdowns with the Miami Hurricanes. Head coach Jim Larranaga has his team at 12-1 so far this season, with a win in their conference opener Saturday over Pittsburgh – and will face Georgia Tech on Wednesday before playing the Seminoles.
Next: Noles drop ACC opener after late Duke comeback
Interesting Fact
The 2017-18 year marks the 14th season in which the Seminoles and Hurricanes have both been members of the ACC. Over that span, the ‘Canes have been able to beat the Noles on the football field just four times while FSU basketball has a 16-11 advantage on the court. When Miami has beaten the Seminoles in football, the Noles have a 4-2 record in their following basketball contests.