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Florida State Basketball: Impact of Seminole’s win over Xavier

By Austin Walther

NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 18: Savoy
NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 18: Savoy /
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Florida State didn’t want their season to end against Xavier two seasons in a row so they did something about it and defeated the Musketeers 75-70 and advance to the sweet 16 to play Gonzaga.

Florida State last season was a No. 3 seed and had three future NBA players. They got knocked out in the second round.

This season they were projected to finish 10th in the ACC and more than likely not get back to the Tournament. The Seminoles put themselves in a good position at the end of the regular season but got bounced right away in the ACC Tournament. The Noles got a nine seed, won two straight and are headed to the Sweet 16.

Florida State was able to get by Missouri in the first round with hardly any problem. It was a 13-point victory and the bench came to play.

Terance Mann was originally listed doubtful on Sunday. He decided to give it a go after he had been battling a groin injury. Head coach Leonard Hamilton chose to not start him and instead inserted senior Brandon Allen. The senior forward has only played in 21 games this season. He only started once which was on senior night and recorded four minutes. Against Xavier in the NCAA Tournament, that number was three.

Other than that, the lineup remained the same. The bench was already proving to be a difference maker for Florida state and it continued to be so with Mann not starting. He was able to play 24 minutes, scoring 10 points, knock down a three-pointer and grabbed two boards.

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It was the top-two seniors and the same guys off the bench getting it done for Florida State on Sunday night. The point guard Braian Angola-Rodas got things going right from the get-go. He had five out the first eight Florida State points.

Xavier began to chip back and take the lead. That wasn’t surprising there seeing that the Musketeers were the No. 1 seed and they’re actually that good.

Florida State never let things get out of hand. This team never showed that they were scared of Xavier. The Seminoles come from the ACC. They see the big boys of Duke, Virginia, North Carolina and Syracuse every season.

The Seminoles also matched Xavier’s depth and then some. The Musketeers normally have four very solid guys off the bench. Florida State had four guys have the bench record double-digit minutes if you eliminate the outlier in Mann.

Since Florida State went blow-to-blow with Xavier in bench points, the Seminoles never gave up. Florida State used the two hot hands from the win over Missouri.

PJ Savoy once again starting hitting great from deep. He knocked down three from long distance for 11 points. Trent Forest, on the other hand, had an even bigger game than the one on Friday. He dropped 13, grabbed five boards, dished three assists and came up with four steals.

This Florida State defense is out to play in the NCAA Tournament. They allow on average 73 points per game which is 217th in the country. Missouri isn’t the most high-powered team out there, but the Seminoles held the Tigers to 54. Xavier, on the other hand, can score. They average 84 points per game. The Musketeers only scored 70 on Sunday.

Xavier was not ready for the size of Florida State. The Seminoles are overlooked at the time at how lengthy they really are. Angola-Rodas and Mann both stand at six-foot-six and Phil Cofer goes six-foot-eight.

Florida State actually matched up very well against Xavier. This forced the Musketeers to go totally against their game plan. Trevon Bluiett leads this team in field goal attempts at a little over 13. He only took eight in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The man who led the Musketeers was Karem Kanter at 10. He only averages seven per game.

Xavier also lacked fundamental basketball. Bluiett averages less than two turnovers per game. He committed five against Florida State. Credit coach Hamilton, the Florida State depth and the size of these players that were being thrown at the big time star.

We finally have to mention the free throw difference. Xavier shoots 10% better than Florida State based on season statistics. Those went out the window. Both teams made the same amount, but Xavier had eight more attempts than the Seminoles. Final numbers showed Florida State shooting 86% and Xavier only shooting 63%. I’m sure we’re all familiar with Tony Patelis on Twitter.

The second half though seemed to get away from Florida State. People were switching to the UMBC-Kansas State game to see if Cinderella was going to move on. The Retrievers clock struck Midnight. Xavier built a 12-point lead and the night seemed to basically be over as West Virginia was up huge on Marshall.

Not so fast said the Seminoles. Mann brought FSU within seven and then Forest took over. The man who came off the bench as a spark against Missouri decided to bring Florida State within two with two straight shots and a free throw.

The Seminoles played outstanding defense in the final two minutes of action. They forced turnovers from Bluiett and JP Macura which were answered on the other end.

Savoy made a three-pointer with just over a minute left to give Florida State the lead somehow. He and CJ Walker iced the game away with free throws. Florida State is advancing to the Sweet 16.

Next: March Madness: Impact of UMBC’s historic upset over Virginia

The Seminoles had no business staying within striking distance of Xavier. This was not thought of as a game that there was possibly going to be an upset of. Florida State decided to shock the country as yet another No. 1 seed goes down. In a Tournament where history has been made and the whole left side is up for grabs, Florida State joined the party.

Florida State is on to play Gonzaga in Los Angeles for the West Regional semi-finals. The Bulldogs are who Xavier lost to in the elite eight last year. The other two teams playing are Michigan and Texas A&M.

What a wacky sweet 16 in the West. If you want even more wack, look up at the South. It should be a fun Final Four. Florida State believes more than ever that they can get to San Antonio. The Seminoles just knocked off a No. 1 seed. They’re defense and bench are playing out of their minds. There’s not quit and they’re going to give Gonzaga a run for their money.

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