Florida State (4-9, 0-2 ACC) was defeated by Virginia Tech (10-3, 1-1 ACC) tonight in Tallahassee by a score of 79-54.
Game review
Virginia Tech blitzed Florida State from the opening tip. With 4 minutes left in the first quarter, the Hokies led 20-4. They actually played more basketball after that, but the start basically decided the game. FSU was never able to cut the lead below double digits. VT won 79-54.
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After the game
Jasmine Shavers led Florida State with 19 points and eight rebounds. No other FSU player scored in double figures.
Sidney Powers and Emma Reish missed this game.
Saul Williams went down in the second quarter with an apparent knee injury. She was helped off the field by training staff and did not return to the field.
Florida State is now on a five-game losing streak.
It was an embarrassing loss for the Seminoles. There are some caveats. FSU came into this game shorthanded, without Bowles, Risch and Williams (for much of the game). It’s impossible to know how this team would perform if they were playing at full strength. Even so, what we saw tonight doesn’t inspire much confidence.
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Statistics show FSU had 15 turnovers. It feels like it’s close to 25 points. Tech lost 18 points off turnovers, while the Noles had just three. VT had 17 fast break points (FSU had 4). I could go on, but you get the idea. Time and time again, the Hokies scored on easy buckets, while Florida State had to work for every goal.
This isn’t one of those nights that opponents can’t miss. VT shot just 20% from three-point range and 44% overall. However, the Hokies took 16 more field goals than Florida State. It’s just a thump from the open tip.
The Seminoles do deserve some grace due to their lack of players. Florida State has not commented on the severity of any injuries, so we’re not sure when players will return. FSU currently has just seven healthy bodies. If these players don’t return soon, this season could get even uglier.
At this point, we need to face the fact that this is not a championship team. I’m obviously not saying teams should give up on this year, but at least part of the strategy going forward should be preparing for next year. Therefore, Mari Girton should get more playing time – at least 20 minutes per game. FSU needs to get her more game experience next year and beyond, or find out she’s not the point guard of the future so they know they need to get one.
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This year, the Noles need to do a better job getting Parnia Davis to catch the ball downfield. This almost never happens. When Florida State gives her the ball, she’s almost always a few feet away from the zone, and then she has to work her way into position. If she can put the ball in a good spot from the start, she’ll be more efficient.
Overall, there are a lot of problems with this game (usually a loss of 25). However, it’s probably less profitable to discuss them now because the Seminoles simply aren’t healthy. This is not a team that can afford to lose anyone, as there are only 10 players total on the roster. If these issues persist after Knowles returns to health, we can discuss it at that time.
Healthy or not, the bottom line is that FSU is five games below .500 and has lost five straight. FSU just needs to win somehow.
next game
The Seminoles will host South Carolina on Saturday at the Civic Center. The game will tip off at 2 p.m. and will be televised on ACC Network Extra.
