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If FSU wanted to play in the NIT or finish without a losing ACC record for the 7th straight year, then they needed to pull off the upset today. Instead, they got blown out.
FSU did a good job handling the press and then committed senseless turnovers in the half court. They missed their first seven attempts at the rim. And the defense, for the 2nd straight game, was a mess.
Playing through depth issues all season, it looked like FSU was running on fumes. Devon Bookert has now gotten six minutes of rest in the past five games. Xavier Rathan-Mayes have averaged 37 minutes over that same span. Montay Brandon hasn't played fewer than 31 minutes since the first week of January. There's just nothing left in the tank.
Louisville, meanwhile, has depth to spare. And despite having their mental focus challenged by the allegations against star guard Chris Jones, they looked much more fresh and energetic. They held a double digit lead at the half and cruised through the second half to win easily, 81-59. With their best scorer struggling they turned to Anton Gill. He made 4-4 from deep despite having not made a 3-pointer in the past 14 games. He opened up the perimeter, and Wayne Blackshear and Montrezl Harrell did the rest.
Montay Brandon led FSU with 13 points, but left several free throws short and finished just 3-8 from the line. Devon Bookert and XRM each scored 12, despite combining for 1-9 from deep. Boris Bojanovsky was the one real bright spot, scoring 11 points and adding nine boards and three blocks.
Florida State now has a much needed week off, and will finish the regular season next Saturday when they host Pitt.