State (11-5, 1-1) @ Florida State (12-5, 2-1)
TV: 4pm ACC Network (FOX50 in the Triangle)
For those of you that can’t watch or will be watching the Ravens-Steelers instead, check in here throughout today’s game for regular updates and random comments.
State goes to Tallahassee after a disheartening collapse in Chestnut Hill Tuesday Night, losing 75-66 after being tied at 60 with under four minutes remaining, spurred by Lowe’s *questionable* benching of Ryan Harrow in favor of Javi Gonzalez during crunch time. Meanwhile, Florida State will try to avoid the always-dreaded letdown game after defeating #1 Duke 66-61 on Wednesday Night at the Tucker Center.
Mike Hogewood and Cory Alexander announcing. The last time I saw Cory Alexander, he was helping lead Virginia to the Elite Eight in 1995.
Starters:
State – Leslie, Wood, Smith, Brown, Harrow
Florida State – James, Singleton, Shannon, Snaer, Kitchen
Just so we’re clear: Lowe pulled Harrow for his defensive lapse in a critical situation the other night, but since then he’s suddenly earned a starting role? I’m confused, other than not scoring, has Javi done something to no longer start? Am I the only one struggling with that “logic?”
1st Half
15:20 – Florida State 6-4. Nothing much to say so far, both teams have combined for 5-of-15 shooting to this point.
Wednesday Night’s raucus crowd didn’t show up today.
13:53 – Javi checks in, coming off the bench for the first time this season. Read that last part again. Yes, it’s true. My buddy just texted me that Gary Hahn said it was because Javi was late for practice.
11:56 – Florida State 12-6. True to form, the Pack start slow, shooting only 3-of-16 (19%). However, we’re dominating the offensive glass. Baby steps.
9:54 – Tied at 12. Ugly game so far, but State closes the gap after a four-point play by Wood and then a miraculous 20-footer by Javi, who with that shot is already at 40% of his per game average of five.
6:53 – Florida State 16-14. Too many turnovers for the Pack (8) and too few for the Noles (4). State shooting only 6-of-20 (30%).
3:53 – Florida State 22-16. State being absolutely dominated in the paint, 18-4. Noles on a 6-0 run after State tied it at 16 out of the under eight timeout.
Cory Alexander talks about his love for Bojangle’s, which has been the most interesting comment he’s made all day. It amazes me that there are like 47 states with folks that have no clue what they’re missing out on.
I can’t tell the difference between Bunny from “The Wire” and Leonard Hamilton.
Half – Florida State 28-19. Well, this looks like it may get out of hand. After being tied at 16, FSU went on a 12-3 run over the final 6:17 of the half, during which State shot 1-of-8 and I lost track of the points in the paint differential, but it’s something like 22-4.
Florida State’s scoring was spread fairly even among its starters, with Shannon leading all scorers with eight. Javi is State’s leading scorer with five, which puts him on pace for a relatively monster game. State had 10 turnovers to the Noles’ six; State shot 27% against FSU’s 41%.
2nd Half
I’m sure most of the dozen or so State fans watching the first half still haven’t flipped back over from Ravens-Steelers. And really, who could blame them?
15:15 – Florida State 44-28. Singleton hit FSU’s first three at 17:58, on an inbounds pass where he was not guarded. FSU is 6-of-6 so far in the half. Alexander wants us to believe Lowe told the team to get the ball to Tracy; now that’s the most innovative coaching since Dennis Hopper’s swinging gate, trying to get the ball to your leading scorer.
11:59 – Florida State 53-36. FSU has its largest lead of the game. Our defense has held the Noles to 100% FG in the half (8-of-8).
NC State: The cure for the common hangover.
We’re playing so bad it crashed my personal laptop, so I had to switch over to my work laptop. No way is that a coincidence.
10:47 – FSU misses its first field goal of the half (8-of-9).
The full court press, as usual, creates easy baskets for our opponent.
For the few of you actually still reading this, you may want to stop by the SFN Forums to discuss a topic that gets more relevant with the passing of each game.
7:58 – Florida State 61-46. It’s officially out of hand. Bunny Colvin calls a timeout after Wood hit an uncontested three, clearly upset that we cut it to 15 when it should really be closer to 20.
3:23 – Florida State 77-57. Laughable. The 20-point lead is FSU’s highest margin in an ACC game since it led Carolina by 23 last January.
Final – Florida State 84-71
Quick Summary: State never led, it wasn’t nearly as close as the 13-point margin indicates, and it was simply a microcosm of Lowe’s tenure (ESPN.com Box Score).
Duke is next.
If you had the stomach to get this far, then head on over to the SFN Forums to peruse a variety of topics having nothing to do with State basketball.
