Baseline Breakdown: No. 13 FSU outlasts Miami

Both teams struggled shooting the ball, but Florida State ultimately held off Miami for a 68-62 win. The Seminoles moved to 1-1 in ACC play while dropping Miami to 0-3.

Above The Rim

• FSU had a difficult time getting into any kind of flow, particularly in the first half, thanks to whistle happy refs. With the ‘Noles team fouls (12) doubling the ‘Canes (6), Miami attempted 15 free throws to Florida State’s 5 in the 1st Half. The 2nd Half saw a more even number of free throw attempts and personal fouls, but, overall, FSU had only 13 attempts from the charity stripe to UM’s 22. Miami made two more field goals (20) than they did free throws (18). Coming into this matchup, Miami was 176th in the nation with a 34.3 ratio of free throw attempts to field goal attempts while FSU was 60th at 39.1 FTA/FGA. Some nights calls just do not go your way, but FSU would benefit from doing what they can to limit their opponent’s opportunities for free points.
• The Seminoles shot 42.2% (27/64) from the floor while holding Miami to a cool 37% (20/54). Neither team shot well from deep, with FSU connecting on 6 of 26 (23%) from three and Miami hitting 4 of 18 (22.2%) from beyond the arc. FSU started 0 for 7 from three before David Nichols put one through the net with 7:33 remaining the 1st Half. The ‘Noles continued their tendency to pass up open shots at times. As the 20th best offensive rebounding team in the country, even missing open looks will often lead to second-chance points.
• FSU showed improved ball control against UM, committing only 9 turnovers to 15 assists and finishing with a turnover percentage of 13%. Sustaining this kind of improved ball security would be a significant boost for the ‘Noles going forward as they still rank at 262nd in the country with a 20.6 TO% on the year (KenPom).

Court Level

• Florida State tried to capitalize on their height advantage over Miami by getting the ball inside to Christ Koumadje, but he finished 0 for 6 from the field with his lone point coming from the free throw line. Koumadje did do a good job of passing to the open man when the Miami defense double-teamed him and had 2 assists for easy dunks in the 1st Half. He added 5 rebounds in his 14 minutes of play.
• RaiQuan Gray was terrific in his 17 minutes on the floor. Gray finished 3-4 from the field for 6 points and added 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal. Gray’s defense has really improved since the beginning of the season, and he appears more comfortable on both ends of the floor. In the 2nd Half, Gray showed his ability to defend on the perimeter when he stripped a Miami player for a breakaway dunk. Gray continues to impress with the size, skill, and athleticism to run the point and hold his own in the paint.
• David Nichols continued to show great maturity and leadership, finishing as the team’s leading scorer with 13 points and 3 assists. Nichols has been playing well over the last several games and really rallied the rest of the team when Miami made their runs in this game. His addition to the team as a graduate transfer has been huge, and FSU will need him to continue playing like this through the grind of ACC play.

Postgame

Miami Head Coach Jim Larranaga:

Coach Leonard Hamilton:

Terance Mann:

Next Up

No. 13 FSU hosts No. 1 Duke in the Tucker Center on Saturday at 2pm.