When I checked the score in the first half of the FSU basketball game against NC State, the Noles were losing 33-9 with about eight minutes remaining in the first half. I thought it was a mistake because that's like the score of some high school game where there’s a huge mismatch in talent between the two teams.
How is that possible, especially when FSU was competitive with North Carolina and Duke in the previous two games? I know styles make fights, but that first half was ridiculous.
FSU trailed 56-31 at halftime.
The major difference in the game was NC State’s three-point shooting and offensive rebounding. They also had eight points off of FSU turnovers.
However, they made 11 of 21 three-pointers and had seven offensive rebounds to zero for FSU. They were also 11-12 from the free-throw line. FSU only made 2 of 12 three-point attempts. FSU was 11 --16 from the charity stripe. The poor three point shooting has haunted FSU all season, especially for a team that’s averages well over 30+ attempts per game.
FSU trailed by as many as 28 points on its home court. Where is the defense? We know that FSU is at a talent disadvantage in its first season with Luke Loucks, but there is too much inconsistency with this team.
I don't expect NC State to keep shooting 52 percent from the three-point line in the second half, but FSU has to find a way to make it competitive in the second half. Fans didn't show up to see them play against Duke, and they definitely won't show up if they keep having performances like this.