FSU Basketball Weekly Preview: January 14th-20th

Here’s a preview of FSU basketball and their upcoming games scheduled for play during the 2018-19 season

After starting off the ACC portion of their schedule in a much different way than the non-conference slate went, the FSU basketball team returned home for two more conference games this past weekend that both showed how far the Seminoles have come on the court and how much more they have left to do.

For the Noles, the highlights included getting a much needed win over a hated rival and coming within seconds of getting another victory at home over the conference’s blue blood team – but after what took place last season, the Seminoles have no time for moral victories and expected actual wins.

Now, FSU basketball hits the road this week for games against ACC foes looking up in the standings – games the Noles can’t afford to slip up in and play down to the level of their competition if they want to stay one of the top ranked teams in the country heading into the NCAA Tournament.

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Here’s our recap of last week’s game action and a preview of what’s ahead for the Seminoles.

Last Week Recap

After getting shellacked in the ACC opener at Virginia, the Seminoles returned to Tallahassee last Wednesday for the first of two games this season against the rival Miami Hurricanes – a team that had tournament aspirations but has struggled mightily this season.

Like many games in this series, records didn’t mean much as the Canes stuck with FSU basketball for much of the game and trailed by just four at the half. The Noles had a 13 point lead in the second half and were led by 13 points from David Nichols to hold on for a 68-62 win despite shooting just 42 percent from the field and 23 percent from the three point line.

On Saturday, the top ranked Duke Blue Devils came to town as the Seminoles looked to beat them as the top ranked team in the land for the fourth time since 2002. The visitors led by as many as 10 points in the first half, but the Noles surged late and took a one-point lead into the half.

In the second half, the back and forth battle continued with Mfiondu Kabengele scoring a team high 24 points and Phil Cofer adding 21 in the game – but the Noles watched a one point lead with less than three seconds evaporate when Cam Reddish nailed a three pointer that rescued Duke for the 80-78 victory, dropping the Seminoles to 4-15 all time against top ranked teams.

Opponent Preview

It’s a short turn around for FSU basketball as they start the week on Monday when they travel to take on the Pittsburgh Panthers. At 11-5, the Panthers are just like the Seminoles as they have started the ACC slate at 1-2 that includes a loss to N.C. State at home last Saturday following a victory over Louisville.

On Sunday, it’s off to the Boston area as the Noles will face off with the Boston College Eagles. Entering the week, the Eagles are winless in their three ACC games with losses to Virginia Tech, Virginia and Notre Dame – but will get a chance to get their first win before playing the Seminoles when they travel to play Louisville on Wednesday.

Interesting Fact

Both the Panthers and Eagles were part of the mass exodus from the Big East Conference that has taken over the ACC in the last decade and a half. Since Boston College joined the league in 2005-2006, FSU basketball has an 11-6 record that includes seven wins in the last eight meetings.

What does start of ACC play for Noles mean for March?. dark. Next

Against the Panthers, the Seminoles have a 3-3 record since Pitt joined the ACC in the 2013-14 season – but all time, the Noles trail in the series thanks to losing nine of the first 10 meetings between the programs.

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