Preview and Game Thread: Fla. International Golden Panthers vs Florida State Seminoles, 1pm EST
by TrueCubbie on Dec 6, 2009 11:34 AM EST
in FSU Basketball
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PrintFla. International Golden Panthers at Florida St. Seminoles, Dec 6, 2009 1:00 PM EST
After a much needed few days off, the Seminoles welcome Isiah Thomas and the Golden Panther of Florida International to the Tucker Center. Despite a frustration loss to Ohio State, the Seminoles continue to have one of the best defenses in the country. The Golden Panthers, who are 3-7 have yet to see a defense of the likes of Florida State. This is the last game before the Seminoles go on break for Finals.
vs
Game Time: 1pm EST
Television: Sun Sports
The loss to Ohio State was difficult. Florida State continued to turnover the ball at a rate at which we have all become accostomed. The shots weren't falling and Ohio State couldn't miss from behind the arc. However, Solomon Alabi demonstrated his dominance in the paint with 21 points and 10 rebounds. But Florida State couldn't shut down the three point shooting of Ohio State. They went 12 - 28 from behind the arc. They only made 13 shots from inside the arc. The point differential on three point shots alone was 30 points as Florida State only hit 2 of their 16 three point shots. Credit to the defense for shutting down the paint and keeping this to 13 points at the end.
The top chart essentially gives the story of the game. Keep in mind that eFG% is weighted for three point shots and explains the large difference. Ohio State is an excellent team and this could have been one of those 'quality loses' in terms of RPI and tournament resume data. However, Evan Turner, Ohio State's standout forward, injured his back fracturing three vertebrae in Ohio State's big win over Eastern Michigan. He is out for at least 8 weeks.
Florida International enters the Tucker Center with a 3-7 record, with wins over Florida Memorial, North Carolina Central and Florida A&M. Their seven losses include a 16 point loss to North Carolina and a 32 point loss to Tulsa. It has not been easy for Thomas and the Golden Panthers. They currently rank 255th in the nation in offensive efficiency and 306th in the nation in defensive efficiency. They had an eFG% of only 25% against Tulsa. Without watching that game it's hard to say exactly what happened, but Tulsa simply shut down the Golden Panthers that night. On the defensive end, only two of their opponents have had an ORating less than 100 this year.
FIU will likely start the following lineup:
F #11 Marvin Roberts 6'5 210lbs Junior
F #34 Marlon Bright 6'5 235lbs Senior
G #1 Antoine Watson 6'4 200lbs Junior
G #2 Stephon Weaver 6'3 195lbs Junior
G #4 Phil Gary 5'11 190lbs Junior
FIU does not have a singly player over 6'8. In the preseason, Isiah Thomas said, "We'll try to play pretty fast and up-tempo and try to play with some zest out there that'll at least give the fans some entertainment and enjoyment." (Source: Blue Ribbon College Basketball Year Book) Without any true size in the paint, it's totally reasonable that Thomas would would want to get out and run. They do generate turnovers on 23% of their opponents possessions and cause steals on 12% of their opponents possessions. Marvin Roberts is leading the way averaging 15 points per game for FIU. He is a JUCO transfer this year and put up 29 points last year at Redland (OK). Stephon Weaver and Antoine Watson are also JUCO transfers and are averaging 11 and 8.8 points per game respectively. This is not going to be the year for FIU to make it to the Top 25 as Thomas has hoped for. However, they have some excellent talent coming in the next two years.
The Seminoles will once again start: Kitchen, Dulkys, Singleton and Alabi. Let's hope that Alabi can continue to build on his success against Ohio State. There is no reason he can't average a double-double every night. Assuming that FIU will go to a full court press and try to force turnovers, Hamilton will likely move to a three guard line up early. Snaer is averaging 6 points per game in 20 minutes of play. However, this does not reflect his contribution on the defensive end of the floor. In the last three games his athleticism and ability to get to the basket has started to appear.
Keys to the Game:
1. Blow this team out of the water. This cannot or should not be a close game. It will reflect poorly on Florida State's out of conference play if this isn't a big game for the Seminoles. This also needs to be the game to get Florida State's offense back on track.
2. Get Snaer more minutes. Snaer needs to be confident in his role on this team going into ACC play. Seeing Shannon play some good minutes would be nice as well.
3. Turnovers.
4. Set the tempo. Florida State needs to get out of the habit of reacting to team's personnel and styles of game play.
This should be a fun game to watch as the Seminoles should roll over the Panthers.
Go NOLES!!!
Cheers,
TC
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Hmm... 1 o'clock game on a Sunday against a patsy...
I think I may be watching football. I’ll check in here occasionally
Same here.
Can’t miss my weekly fail-a-thon from Chad Henne and Ted Ginn. I’m predicting they have their breakout game today.
/by which I mean record picks thrown in the final two minutes
//no one throws it into the dirt harder than Chad Henne
///but Teddy sure is fast
by Drew J Jones on Dec 6, 2009 12:49 PM EST up reply actions
sorry cubbie
I was just kidding, this should be fun to watch
What we do in life, echoes in eternity.
No score prediction?
too many 70+ point predictions? too soon?
agree with you keys – dead on. id move turnovers to #1 and leave it there the remainder of the season.
I think we wax FIU
but we do it ugly. We’ll only have ~6 more assists than turnovers and we’ll have over 15 to’s. We will win because our defense will shut them down. We cover the spread.
ataboy CHam!
Sun says Kitchen has a strained groin
I meant more about his quick decision making
when he gets fed in the post. Alabi is like watching molasses.
I dont see how some were saying before the year started that alabi was a first round
pick. he needs a lot more work, if you asked me. maybe thats good for FSU.
There is no way to peace; peace is the way.
It's great for FSU.
But Alabi improved IMMENSELY from his FR year to his RS FR year. If he would’ve done that this year, he’d be a 1st rounder. Thing is, I don’t think he’s improved at all.
4 for 4 from the free throw line? reminds me of last year.
There is no way to peace; peace is the way.
Snaer with a nice move...
Kid is very, very quick.
I was at the game at Ohio State, Snaer and Alabi were the only bright spots of the evening.
There is no way to peace; peace is the way.
if he can start finishing at the rim consistently...
would be big
he just needs that one game
hope it happens before ACC play
snaer needs to recognize he is the only offense on the floor
this line up is disastrous
This game started way too early
I’m still hungover from Bud Light Wheat and Tebow Tears.
by Randall W. Spetman on Dec 6, 2009 1:24 PM EST reply actions
Reid keeps trying to steal boards from his teammates
Alabi earlier. Shannon just there. Both balls knocked out and given back to FIU. Great
That make me throw up a little..
As hungover as I am, if FSU keeps this up, I will have to excuse myself….
by Randall W. Spetman on Dec 6, 2009 1:28 PM EST up reply actions
Ha ha...I forgot about this screenname
The Yahoo ID feature hasn’t been working, so I had to get a regular screen name. It was either this, or “GarnetandGoldenShower”
But seriously, I am Randy Spetman. Fear me.
by Randall W. Spetman on Dec 6, 2009 1:47 PM EST up reply actions
The crowd inside the CC looks PUMPED today...
Lotsa energy, especially from the guy wearing the Georgia Tech gear.
by Randall W. Spetman on Dec 6, 2009 1:48 PM EST reply actions
Chicken Dinner Trivia: who's the only undefeated hoops team left in the ACC?
There is no way to peace; peace is the way.
looks like Miami's first true road game of the season.
B.C. lost to St; Josephs and Northern Iowa. I’ll take B.C. I dont like betting on road dogs unless they are top 25 material.
There is no way to peace; peace is the way.
how about 20 tickets to the georgia state game? you want 'em?
There is no way to peace; peace is the way.
looks like Dec 15. way too close to christmas for a late shopper like myself.
There is no way to peace; peace is the way.
oh, I was just kidding. I figured they probably arent selling too well. :-)
There is no way to peace; peace is the way.
radio crew: last FIU FG was at the 8 and change mark in the first half.
There is no way to peace; peace is the way.
We went on a 22-0 run to end the first half
until the buzzer foul on Alabi where they got free throws
I'm an idiot
I meant “I would’ve”. I’m not seeing an over/under but apparently it jumped to -27 on one and -27.5 on another. I don’t know if I would’ve taken -27.5.
As our defense is falling apart.
was there an over/under? I'd go under, no bet on the line.
There is no way to peace; peace is the way.
now what do you do? 27 point lead with 3 1/2 minutes to go!
There is no way to peace; peace is the way.
this is why Vegas is Vegas. If you are out there with money on that line, you are
sweating bullets either way!
There is no way to peace; peace is the way.
I like hold 'em poker, as at least its my decisions that determine whether I
win or lose. I do not like betting on sports because its out of your control once you put the money down.
There is no way to peace; peace is the way.
trick what do you think about the line up changes?
i like the towers on the floor at the same time.
and i think its time to give louck’s his chance. he doesnt have to defend the opposing point.
no dulkys to start? seems like we got a hard enough time getting points from the
backcourt already.
There is no way to peace; peace is the way.
yea... its nothing against dulkys
assuming FSU will see zone all year, bring in the towers, let ktichen work the baseline, and loucks run the team.
you then have snaer and dulkys off the bench at which point you can go small.
jd gets some minutes. the predator gets some minutes, but you can pick your spots more. should allow reid to play more within his role.
defense. rebounding.
when he doesnt try to be a shot blocker. doesnt dribble. and doesnt play too fast. he isnt half bad.
unfortunately for reid and FSU, he tends to do several of the above. often.
yep, I noticed that about Reid. well, its a daring starting 5 you got there. You
are putting today’s leading scorer on the bench.
There is no way to peace; peace is the way.
I'll be honest, I haven't watched much of the 2nd half
So I haven’t seen Alabi and Gibson together much. I like Shannon’s activity in the paint calling for the ball.
My starting lineup would probably be Loucks, Kitchen, Dulkys, Singleton and Alabi. Jordan may be serviceable as a 5 min/game pg during ACC play (maybe, he looks fluid out there but doesn’t have thickness or height). DeMercy is just an energy/defense sub. Snaer is an energy/offense sub but can get extended time. Gibson should see 20 min/game. Reid should only play when we need a physical presence down low or when our other bigs get in foul trouble. I like Reid, but we need the youngins to develop more than we need Reid on the floor. Shannon should definitely get more pt. He’s not some stick that can’t hang with upperclassmen inside.
Actually, scratch my lineup. I have no idea. We will be good defensively no matter who plays. We NEED to score. This game means nothing because FIU just sucks. Can’t tell if our offense is better or not, I’m guessing it’s not (that much better). So maybe Loucks, Kitchen, Snaer, Singleton and Alabi.
I like your starting 5 there. the million-dollar question is if that is a good enough
backcourt to win 9 games in the ACC? there’s your magic number for the tourney.
There is no way to peace; peace is the way.
Yes
Our defense (length, athleticism) is just too good to lose too many games. Plus, we only play Duke and Carolina a combined 2 times this year. We should win all of our home games in conference and should be favored in a few on the road. Jmo.
I agree with ya there. A lot of folks thought playing both Duke and UNC on the
road was a bad break schedule-wise. The real break there is that we only have to play them twice. No doubt about that.
There is no way to peace; peace is the way.
I'd go Loucks, Snaer, Singleton, Gibson, Alabi to start
with lots of Dulkys and Shannon off the bench. Kitchen just tries to make plays, can’t pass to save his life, and turns the ball over too much. Maybe put him at SG, but honestly I think he’s almost as useless as Reid.
and starting Snaer (freshman) in ACC play seems quite dangerous.
There is no way to peace; peace is the way.
I think Snaer will get better with his TOs, Kitchen has already had a year to grow
and simply hasn’t. Plus Snaer doesn’t have to run the floor at SG like Kitchen would.
You can't have Loucks run the offense alone though
He will get eaten up by ACC guards. Snaer isn’t experienced enough to be the #2 ballhandler on the team
THe guard play in the ACC is relatively down this year...so it might be a good gamble.
www.Tomahawknation.com
OT: FSU hires Tenn. RB coach Eddie Gran
so says Warchant
http://twitter.com/TomDienhart/status/6407050509
dexter carter is gone then? what does this mean for the O.C. position, then?
There is no way to peace; peace is the way.
don't know too much about him
longtime Tuberville asst. at Miss and Auburn; he also interviewed for Memphis job
solid asst
credited for cadillac, ronnie brown, mcallister, and the turn around of harvesty this year.
has recruiting ties to florida, which as a rb coach is important.
Kenny Irons, Brandon Jacobs
Recruited FL for Auburn like a madman. Recruits S FL for Tenn like a madman.
Are we after Gainer?
WC makes it sound like we’re after Raijon Neal or w/e and even if Jones transfers out (not sure he will), we’re bringing in Smiley, and he’s a BAAAD man. We really don’t need an RB.
So is the difference between the last two games really just the level of competition, Louks starting or just hot hands?
competition mostly
some to do with the lineups, but hard to say. FIU is not good.
personally, I'd say its the competition. I've learned to place very little weight onto these nonconf
early creampuffs.
There is no way to peace; peace is the way.
i hate these games.
only brings bad habits.
agree with you, 100%. the rest of the nonconference sked is pretty forgetable.
Obviously, we have to win them all.
There is no way to peace; peace is the way.
I dont know. Auburn is 4-4,some bad losses, and FSU gets them at home. Dont know how
much respect the selection committee will give that one. Need to hope Bama and Marquette do well from here on out.
There is no way to peace; peace is the way.
meanwhile, the ACC is off and running this year with the nailbiter finishes...
Boston College, up by 16 on Miami with 12 minutes to go blows the lead and gets tied up with the Canes at 57 with 2:26 left, then manages to hold on by the slimmest of margins, 61-60.
typical ACC hoops.
There is no way to peace; peace is the way.
90% competition, 10% location
We SUCKED in Orlando at the Old Spice Classic. Great D, ZERO O. Nearly equal turnovers to field goals. NOT assists, field goals. Probably like double turnovers than assists in that thing. We looked atrocious at Florida, atrocious at Ohio State.
I think we squeak into the NCAAT because we are just a more athletic team than 95% of the country.
So what’s everybody’s assessment of Loucks? I like him better than Kitchen at the point and I’m not saying that based solely on this game. I think he sees things better and has better understanding of what’s expected from a PG. He doest get fancy sometimes but I can deal with that because he runs the break so well. He’s probably more a liability defensively lthan Kitchen but I think we could deal with that.
I thought they both looked bad but I felt Loucks looked less bad. I guess I have more hope for him than I do Kitchen.
Kitchen can create his own shot, Loucks can't
They usually play poorly because of the defensive pressure. So if one is playing poorly, the other would play just as poorly. In that case we need a 3 guard lineup, which we will use FREQUENTLY this year.
Of course I can’t argue with that but I think Loucks passes better, which is the core requirement for a PG in my opinion. Kitchen is often hesitant on his passes and they tend to be late and weak. Watching Kitchen try to get the ball into the low post is painful. Loucks doesn’t have that issue as his passes are very crisp. That’s not to say he is without fault. He does have a tendency to try and get too cute with his passes. In summary I think Loucks is the better PG for the first 35 secs of the shot clock and Kitchen the last 10. Do you think the NCAA will let us switch players like hockey?
I think with our players we should be able to run the court well with Loucks at PG. I remember TC’s article on how basically it doesn’t matter your pace, if you can play offense you can play offense no matter the pace, but I feel we have the athleticism to run the court and the depth to keep up defensively with most teams out there. I’m not a huge basketball person though so I’m sure I’m missing some glaring errors with that assumption.
Hamilton was just saying in the postgame interview that he is not set about a
starting five, although that is probably not breaking news. I agree with what you are saying about Kitchen, however Loucks has sometimes looked VERY lost out there as well.
I think the only two givens for the starting five right now are Alabi and Singleton. I dont think we have started a game with a three-guard (Kitchen, Loucks, Dulkys)line-up this year. It will be interesting to see if Hamilton gives that a shot against Georgia State, or in one of the other nonconference cream puffs left.
There is no way to peace; peace is the way.
You can have Loucks be the starting pg
Doesn’t matter to me. I don’t think one pg deserves it over the other.
loucks is more of a pass-first point
and while both has strengths and weaknesses – and clearly both will/should play a lot (see the end of the marquette game)
i prefer a pass-first guy to start the game at least (helps to establish alabi/singleton in the post)
but if neitehr can stay in front of opposing point guards we might actually have to bring in jordan for longer stretches..
True. Pace is not associated with offensive efficiency or overall ranking.
I would prefer us to play up tempo, get down the court quickly and try to score in transition or off the secondary break…Too often the offense gets comfortable and stale in the half court set.
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