SB Nation Tampa Bay - Florida State Goes Down To Duke At Home, 74-66https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/49019/tb-fave.png2012-02-24T09:25:32-05:00http://tampabay.sbnation.com/rss/stream/25844572012-02-24T09:25:32-05:002012-02-24T09:25:32-05:00Reflections on Florida State's Loss To Duke
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/JOkcWz2oxINCdvhcQjEOIjn0QoQ=/0x191:475x508/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/5646392/20120223_pjc_av1_056.jpg" />
<figcaption>Presswire</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Fundamentals take down Florida State in a game that was closer than you think.</p> <p>Last night's loss to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/duke-blue-devils">Duke Blue Devils</a> was somewhat expected. Florida State had already marched into Duke's house and taken them down. Coach K, the US olympic team coach and probably the greatest basketball coach in America - nay, the world - would have learned FSU's game. Oh, and Duke had <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/145288/austin-rivers">Austin Rivers</a>. (On the floor, it really was Austin Rivers and everybody else). Duke wanted revenge, and they got it.</p>
<p>It was a close fought game between two nationally ranked teams. The score (74-66) was not indicative of what really happened. FSU's defense was what it needed to be for most of the game. Duke's offense would try to swing the ball around the perimeter, but to no avail. FSU was playing a tight man coverage, so the Blue Devils would charge into the paint. Even still, FSU's defense had things covered - for about seven seconds. If Duke had the ball in the paint for long enough, eventually FSU would break down and not know what to do anymore. In the first half, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/99794/andre-dawkins">Andre Dawkins</a> (who had 22 points off the bench) would find an open place on the three point line and he'd get his shot off cleanly. In the second half, FSU would simply lose track and foul. Either way, they were giving up easy points.</p>
<p>Duke was hitting ridiculous shots as well. Dawkins and Rivers were both standing 3 feet from the three-point line and still draining shots. Meanwhile, FSU's streaky, hot-or-cold players were mostly on ice last night. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/52211/deividas-dulkys">Deividas Dulkys</a> made three points on the night and for some reason kept calling to guard Austin Rivers (20 points). After Rivers hit three jumpers over Dulkys, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/99798/michael-snaer">Michael Snaer</a> rotated over to guard him - but in the second half Dulkys demanded he cover the star on the floor, which led to embarrassing results.</p>
<p>Snaer did find his swing last night, putting 18 points on the board. Unfortunately, he lacked patience as well. He got his opportunities for open threes, but took them as quickly as possible. As a team, last night's loss really came down to fundamentals. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/123540/bernard-james">Bernard James</a> got double teamed in the paint during the last minute of the game and did not need to dribble, but he did and got the ball stripped. As a team, FSU hit 39% of their buckets and only 4 of 15 from the distance. Even worse: free throws.</p>
<p>Duke was committing the most intelligent fouls I've seen. On breakaways Duke would foul players before they took their shot. On dunks, they'd slide in and force the big man to the free throw line, knowing we couldn't hit the shots. If FSU hit 70% from the free throw line instead of 50%, there is only a 4 point deficit in the final minutes instead of a 9 point deficit. The entire game would have been different.</p>
<p>Some highlights of the game: Michael Snaer scoring points. The former all-American has high expectations, and as the team leader he needs to hit those points. Bernard James had a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/26597/jeff-peterson">Jeff Peterson</a> was the maestro at the key, and Coach Hamilton gave him 24 minutes on the floor to dish out the ball. It was JP who kept the energy going with 11 minutes left in the game and put FSU back in reach. His leadership and hustle on the floor is crucial to Florida State's success, even in a loss.</p>
<p>FSU is still in the hunt to win the ACC. If Duke and North Carolina (both 11-2 ACC) have one more loss, FSU can pull ahead. 10-3 in the ACC, the Seminoles travel to Miami, Virginia, and then host Clemson in their own revenge game to finish the season. Duke still has VT, Wake Forest and UNC at home. The Tar Heels have Virginia and Maryland before looking for revenge in Durham. Given the unexpected nature and near upsets in the ACC this year, it's possible FSU can still come out on top.</p>
https://tampabay.sbnation.com/2012/2/24/2821228/reflections-on-fsu-florida-state-duke-recap-feb-23-2012Daniel Russell2012-02-23T21:26:57-05:002012-02-23T21:26:57-05:00Duke Vs. Florida State Final Score: Noles Go Down 74-66
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/hlPUf0ehTFoOiFlLADBIPosvqRo=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828137/large_tampabay.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>The Florida State Seminoles trailed the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/duke-blue-devils">Duke Blue Devils</a> at halftime 39-32 as the Noles gave up way too many easy three-point shots to Duke. In the second half, the Noles defense clamped down on Duke and limited their three points shots, but Florida State just couldn't sink enough shots of their own. Even when the Noles got themselves to the free throw line, they just missed way too many shots, shooting just 54.5 percent from the line in the game.</p>
<p>Despite at one point the Noles holding Duke to a five-minute scoreless stretch, they just couldn't get back within more than five points on the night. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/99794/andre-dawkins">Andre Dawkins</a> killed the Noles in the first half with his three-point shots and ended the night scoring 22 points to lead the Blue Devils. Despite dealing with an injury for much of the night, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/145288/austin-rivers">Austin Rivers</a> ended with 20 points.</p>
<p>While the Noles struggled to find a consistent scoring threat in the first half, but <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/99798/michael-snaer">Michael Snaer</a> was able to lead the way in the second half and ended the night with 18 points. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/123540/bernard-james">Bernard James</a> finished up the night with 13 points and 5 blocks, giving James 16 blocks over the last four games. FSU falls to 10-3 in the ACC with the loss.</p>
<p><i>For more Florida State basketball coverage and a live game thread, head over to<a href="http://tomahawknation.com/"><strong>Tomahawk Nation</strong></a>. For more on the Duke Blue Devils, visit <a target="_blank" href="http://www.dukebasketballreport.com/">Duke Basketball Report</a>. For everything else NCAA basketball, visit <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaab">SB Nation's NCAAB hub</a>.</i></p>
https://tampabay.sbnation.com/2012/2/23/2820442/duke-vs-florida-state-score-final-Alfie Crow2012-02-23T20:17:58-05:002012-02-23T20:17:58-05:00Duke Vs. Florida State Score Update: Noles Trail 39-32 At Halftime
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/hlPUf0ehTFoOiFlLADBIPosvqRo=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828137/large_tampabay.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>The Florida State Seminoles have been able to take down the big boys in ACC play this year, including taking down the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/duke-blue-devils">Duke Blue Devils</a> in their earlier match up this season. On Thursday night however, Duke leads Florida State at halftime 39-32 at the Donald L. Tucker Center. Duke guard <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/99794/andre-dawkins">Andre Dawkins</a> has been killing the Noles, picking up 18 points off the bench in the first half, including hitting on five of his seven three-point shots.</p>
<p>For the Seminoles, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/123541/okaro-white">Okaro White</a> leads the team with eight points off the bench while guard <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/99798/michael-snaer">Michael Snaer</a> has put down seven points. The Noles have paced the Blue Devils rebounding the football, but they just haven't been able to defend the three-point shot.</p>
<p><i>For more Florida State basketball coverage and a live game thread, head over to <a href="http://tomahawknation.com/"><strong>Tomahawk Nation</strong></a>. For more on the Duke Blue Devils, visit <a href="http://www.dukebasketballreport.com" target="_blank">Duke Basketball Report</a>. For everything else NCAA basketball, visit <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaab" target="_blank">SB Nation's NCAAB hub</a>.</i></p>
https://tampabay.sbnation.com/2012/2/23/2820420/duke-vs-florida-state-score-update-noles-trail-39-32-at-halftimeAlfie Crow2012-02-23T10:09:12-05:002012-02-23T10:09:12-05:00Florida State hosts Duke; Seminoles Look to Knock off Blue Devils
<figure>
<img alt="(Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/tcRWst6vpXygfHGqh0OXG2eR2FU=/0x191:477x509/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/5314664/137497298.jpg" />
<figcaption>(Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) | Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Seminoles look to maintain State of North Carolina Championship against the Duke Blue Devils.</p> <p>When Duke (23-4, 10-2) takes the court at the Donald Tucker Civic Center tonight at 7pm on ESPN, it will mark the biggest home game in the history of Florida State Men's Basketball. Never has there been a game the Seminoles (19-7, 10-2) have played this late in the season with the team has showed this much potential to compete deep into March. Whichever team wins this game clinches a crucial bye in the ACC tournament in two weeks.</p>
<p>In my mind there is more on the line in this game for the Noles.</p>
<p>This team has played 5 games against universities that hail from the state of North Carolina this year. The North Carolina schools are particularly known for their basketball prowess. These schools have combined for 11 National Championships. These teams take their basketball seriously.</p>
<p>FSU is a perfect 5 for 5 against these North Carolina schools this year, defeating UNC-Greensboro(75-60), University of North Carolina(90-57), Duke(76-73), Wake Forest(75-52), and most recently, NC State(76-62).</p>
<p>With these victories, in my mind, the Seminoles of Florida State deserve special recognition. They deserve the State of North Carolina Championship Belt(this would be trademarked if it were a real thing), and they're wearing it proudly.</p>
<p>Now that the Noles have the Belt, Duke's gunning for us. They remember how they were taken down in their own building on a <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/99798/michael-snaer" class="sbn-auto-link">Michael Snaer</a> 3 as the backboard flashed bright red. The Blue Devils would like nothing more than to come into our building and tarnish our perfect record against North Carolina schools. They remember, and they want their belt back.</p>
<p><object width="560" height="315"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/d16MVktxA6w?version=3&hl=en_US">
<param name="allowFullScreen" value="true">
<param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always">
<embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/d16MVktxA6w?version=3&hl=en_US" mce_src="http://www.youtube.com/v/d16MVktxA6w?version=3&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="560" height="315" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object> </p>
<p>Coach Leonard Hamilton must be preaching to this team before this game that they have to protect their home court. There must be a level of focus on the fundamentals the minute this Seminoles basketball team takes the court. They can't afford to come out slow. There's very little chance at a second half comeback if they get down by too much in this one.</p>
<p>If Florida State wants the inside track to the number 1 seed in the ACC tournament for the first time ever, if they want to keep this unprecedented run going, they must retain the mythical State of North Carolina Championship Belt. They must beat Duke</p>
<p><em>For more Florida State basketball coverage and a live game thread, head over to <a href="http://tomahawknation.com"><strong>Tomahawk Nation</strong></a>.</em></p>
https://tampabay.sbnation.com/2012/2/23/2818557/florida-state-hosts-duke-seminoles-look-to-knock-off-blue-devilsDavid Lavigne