Inside the box score: FSU 93, Virginia Tech 78

FSU basketball improved to 15-1 on the season

By Michael Rogner@MichaelRogner Jan 8, 2017, 12:04pm EST

With the win Florida State improved to 3-0 in the ACC for the first time in school history. Their overall mark of 15-1 leads the ACC, and FSU is one of nine teams nationally with with just one or fewer losses.
Virginia Tech has done a good job taking care of the ball this year, but Florida State forced them into 16 turnovers. And 11 of those turnovers were live-ball. Following a live-ball steal, 81% of FSU’s shot attempts come at the rim and in transition. When we talk about FSU playing good defense, this is how this particular team can get there. They won’t grind out as many 30-second stops as Hamilton’s great defenses, but they have the ability to be very disruptive, and that leads to instant offense.
Xavier Rathan-Mayes had a quiet, controlled, game with four points and eight assists. And that’s fine. In early ACC play, X has the 4th best offensive rating in the conference, the 4th best assist rate, and his free throw rate leads the conference. His turnover rate is also the lowest of his career.
FSU scored 93 points. It’s the most points the Seminoles have scored in regulation versus an ACC opponent since dropping 96 on Maryland a decade ago.
Florida State won 93-78 in a 77 possession game. The Hokies were the first of three ACC opponents to score a point per possession versus the ‘Noles. FSU now has the No. 2 conference defense after finishing 10th last year. FSU’s offense is the 4th most efficient in the conference.

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