MBB Early test # 2. Florida State 65 La Salle 61

Preview inside.  This is the open thread.  Game is reportedly available at http://channelsurfing.net/  (scroll down, I've heard).  If we win this, we'll be able to go into the easy games at 2-0.

FSU beat JU 59-57

Raw Tempo: 68.9 poss/40 min  National Rank=143
Adj Tempo: 69.5 poss/40 min  National Rank=138

                      Offense               Defense
Raw Efficiency :   85.4 (202)           82.9 ( 56)
Adj Efficiency :   91.2 (191)           89.9 ( 60)

Effective FG%  :   52.4 ( 82)           36.0 ( 20)
Turnover Pct.  :   26.1 (204)           16.0 (227)
Off. Rebound%  :   18.8 (259)           33.3 (147)
Free Throw Rate:   39.0 ( 22)           26.5 ( 66)

3-Point FG%    :   33.3 (120)           17.9 ( 18)
2-Point FG%    :   53.8 ( 62)           42.5 ( 86)
Free Throw Pct.:   53.3 (239)           44.4 (  8)
Block Pct.     :    3.8 ( 65)           20.0 ( 17)
Steal Pct.     :   10.2 (151)           13.1 ( 60)

3PA/FGA        :   36.6 (102)           41.2 (227)
A/FGM          :   57.9 ( 97)           54.5 (148)

La Salle beat Morgan State 64-61.  Here's their game summary.

Raw Tempo: 64.0 poss/40 min  National Rank=222
Adj Tempo: 66.9 poss/40 min  National Rank=213

                      Offense               Defense
Raw Efficiency :   99.8 (122)           95.6 (129)
Adj Efficiency :   98.5 (117)           96.5 (127)

Effective FG%  :   52.3 ( 84)           39.1 ( 42)
Turnover Pct.  :   29.7 (242)           17.2 (210)
Off. Rebound%  :   42.6 ( 37)           42.0 (234)
Free Throw Rate:   40.9 ( 18)           28.1 ( 73)

3-Point FG%    :   33.3 (120)           42.1 (233)
2-Point FG%    :   53.1 ( 66)           28.9 ( 10)
Free Throw Pct.:   75.0 ( 51)           61.1 ( 84)
Block Pct.     :    3.1 ( 51)           15.6 ( 41)
Steal Pct.     :   21.9 (273)           10.9 (108)

3PA/FGA        :   27.3 (202)           29.7 ( 95)
A/FGM          :   52.4 (139)           38.1 ( 30)

This game features 2 teams who turn the ball over an ungodly amount of the time and fail to force turnovers on the defensive end. 

La Salle plays really slow, and they depend on crashing the boards.  Interestingly, they do a poor job on the defensive glass.  I predict we will hit some runouts here. 

GAME NOTES: The Florida State Seminoles have traveled to Philadelphia for a non-league clash with the La Salle explorers this evening. Florida State won its seventh consecutive opener under head coach Leonard Hamilton, although the 59-57 decision over Jacksonville on Saturday didn't exactly induce much confidence from the Tallahassee faithful. The Seminoles finished one win shy of the 20-win plateau last year and lost in the first round of the NIT. Three double-digit scorers are gone from that squad, and judging by the close class in the opener, those players are missed. As for La Salle, it opened the season with a 64-61 decision over Morgan State on Saturday. Last season, the Explorers finished 8-8 in Atlantic 10 Conference play, a clear sign that they are no longer an afterthought. Head coach John Giannini has restored pride to the program, and a home win over an ACC team tonight would spark plenty of optimism. Florida State beat La Salle by an 81-76 final last season to take a 2-1 lead in the all-time series between the teams.

Florida State turned the ball over 19 times against Jacksonville, the most obvious reason that the team was nearly upset on the road. The Seminoles also shot a poor 16-of-30 from the foul line and were outrebounded by a 43-40 margin. Fortunately, FSU was able to limit Jacksonville to 32.4 percent shooting from the floor, the true difference in the game. Senior Toney Douglas shot just 4-of-13 from the floor and 7-of-13 from the charity stripe, so his 16 points did not come easily. Freshman Chris Singleton was extremely impressive, as he netted 12 points to go along with 17 rebounds. The third and final double-digit scorer for the 'Noles was Jordan DeMercy with 10 points. Last season, Douglas led the Seminoles in scoring (15.4 ppg), assists (98) and steals (90).

It is hard to get overly excited about a three-point home win over Morgan State. Still, La Salle did some positive things in the contest. For example, the Explorers limited Morgan State to 32.8 percent shooting from the floor and earned an 18-11 edge in points from the foul line. Also, they knocked down 59.1 percent of their own shots after a poor shooting effort in the first half. On a down note, La Salle did turn the ball over 19 times, the most obvious reason that the game was close. Rodney Green and Kimmani Barrett both scored 15 points in the tilt, and Barrett hit all five of his attempts from the floor. As for Jerrell Williams, he tallied 12 points and 11 rebounds. As a freshman, Williams posted 9.1 ppg and 6.4 rpg, and there is no reason to expect anything other than improvement.

In what figures to be a close game from start to finish, give a narrow edge to Florida State. Douglas is a good player who will shoot more efficiently than he did in the opener.

GAME NOTES: The Florida State Seminoles have traveled to Philadelphia for a non-league clash with the La Salle explorers this evening. Florida State won its seventh consecutive opener under head coach Leonard Hamilton, although the 59-57 decision over Jacksonville on Saturday didn't exactly induce much confidence from the Tallahassee faithful. The Seminoles finished one win shy of the 20-win plateau last year and lost in the first round of the NIT. Three double-digit scorers are gone from that squad, and judging by the close class in the opener, those players are missed. As for La Salle, it opened the season with a 64-61 decision over Morgan State on Saturday. Last season, the Explorers finished 8-8 in Atlantic 10 Conference play, a clear sign that they are no longer an afterthought. Head coach John Giannini has restored pride to the program, and a home win over an ACC team tonight would spark plenty of optimism. Florida State beat La Salle by an 81-76 final last season to take a 2-1 lead in the all-time series between the teams.

FACTS & STATS: Site: Tom Gola Arena (4,000) -- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Television: None. Home Record: FSU 0-0, La Salle 1-0. Away Record: FSU 1-0, La Salle 0-0. Neutral Record: FSU 0-0, La Salle 0-0. Conference Record: FSU 0-0, La Salle 0-0. Series Record: Florida State leads, 2-1.

Tuesday, November 18th, 7:00 p.m. (et).

We're favored by 3 points.  My guess is that we drop this one.  What do you think?

Good Win