FSU basketball: 3 takeaways from ‘Noles road win over Pittsburgh

No. 16 FSU basketball (13-3, 9-2 ACC) never trailed Pittsburgh (9-9, 5-8 ACC) by more than two points in their 79-72 win Saturday afternoon.

FSU led by as many as 10 points in the first half and as many as 12 points late in the second-half behind Raiquan Gray’s 16 points, and eight rebounds.

Malik Osbourne poured in 12 points and nine rebounds, and RayQuan Evans had 12 points, going 10 of 12 for the free-throw line. Scottie Barnes finished with 11 points, six rebounds and three blocks.

It was the third consecutive ACC win for the Noles after a two-week pause due to COVID-19 issues.

A game against a team like Pittsburgh has given FSU basketball problems all year. However, I like the way the Noles responded on the road Saturday.,

3 Takeaways

• Low Number of Turnovers
• Rebounding
• Good FT Shooting

The Noles had five turnovers against Virginia earlier in the week, but Virginia only averages four steals per game. One concern with Pittsburgh was how they forced teams to turn the ball over, and the Noles only had 11 turnovers in the game, which is below their seasonal average.

The other concern with Pittsburgh was how well they crashed the offensive glass. They came into the game averaging 48 percent of their boards on the offensive end. However, the Noles kept them well below that percentage while grabbing 12 offensive rebounds of their own. Overall they were +4 in the rebounding department.

FSU had a streak where they were automatic at the free-throw line earlier this year. They’ve fallen closer to the mean, coming into the game averaging 73 percent. They were 23 of 29 (79 percent) against Pittsburgh, which is a big reason they won the game.

Parting Thoughts

Raiquan Evans continues to be arguably FSU’s most valuable player, though the Noles are getting production from several players. When Malik Osborne nearly has a double-double the Noles are going to be tough to beat.

I was pleased with the way the Noles played overall even though they didn’t shoot it as well they normally do. I felt like they were too dependant on the three-point shot early in the game and settled in afterward.

That’s going to happen, but it’s good to see they can still put up nearly 80 points while only making four three-pointers in the game and MJ Walker going scoreless.

Noles will be back in action against Miami Wednesday at 8:30 p.m.