FSU has struggled on the road this season, but today the Noles just ran into a far better team, dropping one at UNC 89-69. FSU is now 1-3 on the road in the ACC (vs 5-0 at home), and have to figure out to get more road wins if they want to play in the NCAA Tournament. UNC is the first ACC team this season to score more than a point per possession against FSU. UNC also became the 1st opponent in 90 games to shoot better than 50% from the field.
In his 1st game following Larry Drew II’s abrupt departure, freshman PG Kendall Marshall had by far the best game of his short career, with 9 points, 16 assists, 3 steals, and a backbreaking 26 foot 3-pointer just after FSU had cut the 2nd half lead to seven. His 16 assists were the most ever by a UNC player in conference play. For the third straight game freshman Harrison Barnes led the Heels in scoring, though his 17 points came on an inefficient 16 shots. John Henson added 16 points and 11 rebounds. By all appearances Roy Williams has finally taken control of his tremendous assemblage of talent, and if the Tar Heels can remain consistent they’re a legitimate Final-4 team.
The Noles were led by Chris Singleton’s 15 points, while Derwin Kitchen added 12 points and 6 assists, and Okaro White scored 10. Once again the Seminoles struggled from beyond the arc (4-21) and from the FT line (9-18). FSU hits the road again on Thursday for a trip to Georgia Tech, which will be a game critical for Tourney hopes.