Florida State basketball came into the ACC Tournament on a hot streak, where head coach Luke Loucks's squad has been playing better as of late. However, given how they played earlier in the year, it doesn't seem likely that an NCAA Tournament berth is possible.
Fans have to give Coach Loucks major props for turning this season around. He and his team could've given up after starting conference play with a 0-5 record and getting blown out at home to North Carolina State.
That isn't like the former Florida State point guard. He loves this university and wants them to be successful. The Seminoles defeated the California Golden Bears in a Wednesday matchup, but they knew a stiffer challenge of Duke awaited them on Thursday.
Florida State surprisingly leads at halftime by a score of 44-43 over the Blue Devils
Florida State is playing with so much confidence right now, and it is hard to contain the trio of guard Robert McCray V, guard LaJae Jones, and forward Chauncey Wiggins. The Seminoles have won 11 of their last 14 games. They are better than their 18-14 overall record says that they are.
No one in the conference wants to play them right now, but the Seminoles have to go prove it to the world, and Vegas didn't give them a chance as they had Duke favored by 18.5 points, which I thought was way too many.
Florida State held on there close with Duke on January 3rd, as they fell to them by a score of 91-87. We are getting that same type of vibe in this contest, as the Seminoles lead at halftime against the Blue Devils by a score of 44-43.
LaJae Jones is hitting some tough shots on the Blue Devils' defense, where he has a team-high 16 points. Robert McCray V also has had a solid performance with 11 points.
Duke is hampered by injuries, so the Seminoles have to take advantage. They have to find a way to stop the perimeter shooting of their guard Isaiah Evans, who has a blistering 22 points (stats are provided by ESPN.com).
Florida State has a chance to shock the college basketball world in the next 20 minutes. It is time to lock in for the second half!