Gonzaga vs. Florida State: Key storylines heading into Sweet 16 matchup

2. Terance Mann and Mfiondu Kabengele need to come up big again for
Florida State

Mann and Kabengele have been the unquestioned leaders for Florida State basketball in this tournament. Mann was the lone double-digit scorer in the 75-60 win over the Zags with 18 points and five rebounds. With Kabengele coming off the bench and producing the way he has lately, he will need to have another big game. The Zags held him to seven points, four blocks, and two rebounds. He and Christ Koumadje need to protect the rim at 6’10 and 7’4 respectively. Central Florida made it difficult for Duke inside with seven-foot-six forward Tacko Fall in the game and the same needs to be done against the Zags.

Mann needs to make sure he is the better guard out on the floor Thursday night. I don’t think the Seminoles win if he doesn’t have a good game. He clearly has shot the ball well and when he has had his opportunities at the free throw line, he’s been nearly perfect there too. He is the person that makes this team go. He will be matched up against Norvell Jr. and needs to lock him down defensively and score any way he possibly can. Coming off ball screens, driving to the basket on isolations, pick and rolls etc.

Florida State is in the best position to win any time they have the guard-forward combo of Mann and Kabengele at their best. The Zags will be ready for them and they understand that winning or losing depends on the production of these two Seminoles.