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Inside the Box Score: FSU 81, UF 60

Mike White still winless vs FSU

By Michael Rogner
NCAA Basketball: Florida at Florida State Melina Myers-USA TODAY Sports

  1. One of the hallmarks of a good defense is being able to take a key player and remove him from the game. KeVaughn Allen, who has averaged double figures in each of his first three seasons, was held scoreless for just the 2nd time since his freshman year.
  2. It’s clear that Trent Forrest is going to have the ball at the end of close games. But being just an average free throw shooter is not ideal for a guy who makes his living driving to the rim. But in the second half of last season, he showed considerable improvement by making 76% of his FTs in conference play. Then, against Florida, he went 6-6 from the stripe. He also made his only 3-pointer, and had what would have been another waived off when he stepped on the sideline.
  3. In our preseason roundtable, one of the questions was which player would lead the team in scoring for the season. We had four picks for Terance Mann, one for M.J. Walker, and one for Trent Forrest. In game 1, it was PJ Savoy. Showing his typical range and ability to get off shots in minimal space, Savoy had his first 3-point attempt go in and out, and then made five of six the rest of the way. Best of all, he didn’t have any of his typical 30-foot heat checks, but took all seven shots in the flow of the offense. He didn’t look comfortable driving to the basket, but it was clear he’ll be a big weapon this year. He finished with 20 points and made 5-7 3s.
  4. Florida’s game plan was to keep FSU from running, and they mostly did a good job. In the first half they rarely sent more than two players to the offensive glass, and they employed a token press most of the game. Florida State was only credited with six fast break points, though they did have a number of breaks which ended in missed contested layups, and opponents can’t always count on that.
  5. FSU won 81-60 in a 72 possession game, winning by 21 in a game that Gator head coach Mike White said “could have been 40.” Coach White is now 0-4 vs Florida State, and this year’s roster contains nine blue chip recruits (consensus 4 or 5*), which is more than any ACC team (FSU has 3). In the post game, White said that “as a head coach, I don’t think I’ve taken a bigger butt-whipping than that.” After a terrible showing on defense in ACC play last year (13th in the conference), the Seminoles have now held four of five opponents below a point per possession, dating back to last year’s NCAA Tournament.

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