Florida State Seminoles Basketball Off To Dominant Start
by Bud Elliott on Nov 23, 2009 3:17 AM EST
in FSU Football
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PrintFlorida State has always been a football school, so it's understandable if 'Nole fans are late to get on the basketball bandwagon. The season is still young, and Florida State is 3-0 against the typical early season schedule fodder. But those paying attention have to be impressed. Very impressed. Over the weekend, Florida State took on Mercer and ruined its homecoming 89-50, in a game that could have been much, much uglier. Here's the chart:
And it's not as if Mercer is a horrible basketball team. They almost upset Providence, losing 79-77. Florida State had one of the most impressive defensive games I have ever seen. Mercer didn't make a 2-point field goal in the first half. Florida State held them to an effective field goal percentage of under 25% and rarely fouled! Here are some highlights:
The 'Noles aren't just winning. Florida State is crushing its opponents.
| Offense | Defense | |||||||||||||
| Date | Opponent | Result | Site | Pace | Eff. | eFG% | TO% | OR% | FTR | Eff. | eFG% | TO% | OR% | FTR |
| Mon Nov 16 | Jacksonville (sked) | W, 87-61 | H | 74 | 118.2 | 67.3 | 25.8 | 46.1 | 55.8 | 82.9 | 35.8 | 20.4 | 28.6 | 40.0 |
| Wed Nov 18 | Stetson (sked) | W, 80-38 | H | 65 | 122.2 | 51.5 | 16.8 | 51.4 | 21.2 | 58.0 | 34.3 | 26.0 | 16.2 | 17.6 |
| Sat Nov 21 | Mercer (sked) | W, 89-50 | A | 76 | 116.6 | 66.7 | 18.4 | 24.6 | 59.3 | 65.5 | 24.6 | 26.2 | 40.6 | 32.4 |
And despite what you might think, crushing lesser opponents is a sign of a really good team. The 'Noles have performed as the 2nd best team in the country to date, adjusted for competition level. Admittedly the sample size is only three games, but it is very encouraging to see the 'Noles joined in the top 20 by the likes of (1) Texas, (3) Maryland, (6) Clemson, (8) Tennessee, (9) Duke, (10) Missouri, (11) Xavier, (14) Texas A&M, (16) Wake Forest, (18) Syracuse, and (20) Purdue.
And they are doing it with head coach Leonard Hamilton's trademark defense. No team in the country can match Florida State's size, as the 'Noles start 7'1" Center Solomon Alabi, 6'11" PF Xavier Gibson (or Ryan Reid), and 6'9" SF Chris Singleton. In fact, against Florida State, opponents have had more shots blocked than made baskets! You read that correctly. Florida State is blocking 29.4% of opposing shots, the best mark in the country by a healthy margin, while allowing less than 26% shooting.
Florida State takes on Florida tomorrow night in Gainesville. Tomahawk Nation will have its customary in-depth preview of what should be a great matchup. It will be the first major test for what could be a very special team.
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I hear FSU fans say Kenny Boynton this, Kenny Boynton that. We fail to recognize that Michael Snaer is just as good. We have more talent and we are deeper than Florida. Tired of people looking at me like I smoke crack when I say I expect this FSU team to have little trouble beating Florida. Jacksonville is not a scrub team, look at their record last year and all those close loses to good teams.
Snaer is filthy good
The only question will be how long he stays. He loves to play defense and he is a natural scorer. What more could FSU want in a combo guard. I may be in the minority here but I almost feel more confident in Snaer with the ball then I do with Derwin.
"Reporter: What will you tell the team at halftime Bobby?
Bobby: I'll tell 'em what I always tell 'em when were winning. Boys if they don't score we'll win this game"
I think Hamilton can get him to come back
to help become a lock-down defender. Tony Douglas didn’t really start putting it together on D until his junior year. By far, Snaer may be one of the most advanced freshman I’ve seen play for the Noles.
loads of potential
nowhere near filthy good right now. Actually played poorly (or like a frosh) the last 2 games. You definitely want Derwin to have the ball at this point. Maybe by the end of the year? the kid at KY can come out. I don’t see that for snaer. Now alabi is gone
This team looks amazing so far!
If you haven’t watched a game yet, you’re missing out.
The scores of the first 3 games could have been much worse had the Noles not been going for highlight reel plays(which they have plenty of anyway) in the waning minutes.
Also, something the announcers mentioned during the Mercer game: apparently, the Noles have the 4th best record in the ACC over the last 3-4 years. Notably, a couple of those years was before they had the across-the-board talent that they have now…
not positive, but I think is ACC
a number of ACC teams have had horrible years during that time (GT, Wake, MD). we’ve been pretty consistent at 500 or a few games over
Right on
They are a lot of fun to watch live. I’m sorry that I didn’t go when I was in college. Really regret it. Still in Tally and love to go to the Basketball games. If you are in the area and want to watch the Noles destroy at SOMETHING (besides soccer and tennis) get to the civic center and enjoy the show.
Not an alcoholic, just an FSU grad.
by onebarrelrum on Nov 23, 2009 4:52 PM EST up reply actions
BTW anyone know how hard a ticket would be to come by?
Ameica, Land of the free and home to the entitled.
I doubt it would be very tough.
They are going between $2 and $21
by Bud Elliott on Nov 23, 2009 12:06 PM EST up reply actions
Where do you get your rankings?
When you say we are playing the 2nd best basketball in the nation adjusted for competition, where are you getting these numbers? Just curious, would love to be able to keep up with it myself.
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