FSU women's basketball: Seminoles prepare for first ACC game vs Georgia Tech

Many FSU football fans are looking forward to Saturday afternoon as the Seminoles play the Georgia Bulldogs in the Orange Bowl to close out the 2023 season. However, conference play is set to begin for the basketball teams and the Lady Seminoles are preparing to take action against Georgia Tech. The ACC has managed to feature some marquee teams through the first couple of months. Florida State ranks in the Top 25, and they are a team that has everyone else’s attention. 

Non-conference play was a success for the Seminoles. They were challenged and battle-tested but in the end, they succeeded. The Seminoles are 9-3 on the season as they won their last two games against Drexel and Alabama State. During their non-conference play, they had to battle against tough contenders that included UCLA, Stanford, Tennessee, and others. 

Last season, the Noles went 12-6 in conference play. They were able to notch big wins against North Carolina, Duke, Miami, and several others. After their 110-45 blowout victory against Alabama State last week, the Noles are heading into conference play with some momentum. They've elevated their defense as well as continuing to punish opposing teams with their ability to play at a fast pace. 

Their first test of the ACC features the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. Last season, the Noles were able to take care of business against this team as they won both matchups by double-digits. However, this season has been a different story for Georgia Tech as they’ve found their stride in the early season. They feature talents including Tonie Morgan, Kara Dunn, and several others. 

One of the biggest keys for Florida State in their matchup against Georgia Tech is to close out on shooters defensively. The Yellow Jackets move the ball extremely well and have an abundance of three-point weapons on their team. With that being said, I expect Seminoles' head coach Brooke Wyckoff to run more zone defense that will allow her players to chase their opponents off the three-point line. Getting the job done defensively will lead to easy opportunities on the other end. 

On offense, Florida State should continue to push the pace. They’re one of the fastest teams in the NCAA and can beat many teams in transition. With players like Ta’Niya Latson and Sara Bejedi pushing the pace, the Noles will have high-percentage shots either at the rim or at the three-point line. 

Over the last two games, Florida State shot 50 percent from the floor after shooting only 41 percent in their loss to UCLA. The team has gotten great production from their supporting cast, which plays a huge role in their winning streak. The question is can the Seminoles continue momentum? They must take care of business on their home floor in their first conference matchup against Georgia Tech.