FSU Basketball Game Previews: vs. Southern Miss and Nicholls
Here is a preview for FSU basketball and their next two games of the 2016-2017 season.
It’s a three-game week for Florida State basketball, capped off on Sunday with a huge match-up against the 21st-ranked Florida Gators. However, before we get there, there are two other games to talk about for FSU basketball.
Today, the Seminoles face off against the Southern Miss Golden Eagles – and on Thursday, they play the Nicholls Colonels. Neither team should put up much of a fight, as they are two of the worst teams in college basketball.
Despite how boring those games sound, two wins would have the Seminoles at 9-1 before hosting the Gators. That would be their best start since 2009, back when Toney Douglas was still scoring 22 points a night for FSU.
These games will also provide a chance to give younger players more playing time. In particular, it would be great if they could get PJ Savoy going. Coach Leonard Hamilton and the staff brought him in from junior college to be a knock-down shooter off the bench. He missed the first five games of the season with injury, but has made 40 percent of his threes in his last two appearances. Savoy’s presence could be big once conference play opens up.
Now, let’s take a closer look at these two games against Southern Miss of Conference USA, and Nicholls of the Southland Conference.
Dec 4, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Florida State Seminoles guard Xavier Rathan-Mayes (22) shoots a layup as George Washington Colonials guard Jair Bolden (3) and forward Tyler Cavanaugh (34) look on during the first half at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
The Last Time The ‘Noles Took The Court
Because we have two games to preview, we’ll keep this section short. Florida State played their best defense of the season (their defensive efficiency improved from 67th to 50th based on the performance), and they overwhelmed George Washington. Their leading scorer Taylor Cavanaugh was held to eight points on 2-for-9 shooting.
The Seminoles struggled on offense without Jonathan Issac, but won big regardless, 67-48. Xavier Rathan-Mayes scored 11 and had six assists. If you’d like a closer look at this contest, please direct yourself right over here.
Southern Miss Preview
Out of 351 Divison-1 teams, the 3-3 Southern Miss Golden Eagles rank 319th according to KenPom. They struggle on offense (their 0.95 points-per-possession ranks 321st in the country), and their defense is only marginally better. Before the season, they finished 13th out of 14 Conference USA teams in pre-season balloting.
The Golden Eagles leading scorer is Quinton Campbell, who averages 13 points per contest. He shoots 51 percent from the floor and 35 percent from three. A mix of Mayes, along with CJ Walker and Trent Forrest should be able to slow him down. Their only other double digit scorer on the season is Tim Rowe, a sophomore forward who comes off the bench. Rowe averages 12 points, seven rebounds and a respectable two blocks per game.
Florida State is at home against a severely over-matched opponent. They should roll. But college basketball is crazy, so you never know what could happen.
Nicholls Preview
The Nicholls Colonials are currently 4-4, with a win in Chesnut Hill against Boston College. So maybe they shouldn’t be taken too lightly. Then again, Boston College is by far the worst team in the ACC.
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The Colonials are ranked 309th on KenPom. The Southland Conference SID’s and coaches both picked Nicholls to finish last in the conference.
Senior forward Ja’Dante Frye has gotten off to a good start this season, and has already taken home a player of the week trophy. He averages 15 points and six rebounds per game. DeAndre Harris, a senior guard, is their second leading scorer with averages of 14 points and three rebounds.
Barring a miracle, FSU should sweep both games with relative ease. BUT… you never know.
Interesting Fact
There are none. Just win.
The game against Southern Miss is at 7 PM, and you can only see it on WatchESPN.
Meanwhile, the Seminoles face off with Nicholls on Thursday, at 9 PM, and it’ll be on ESPNU. We are two games away from being 9-1, and a battle against our biggest rival on Sunday awaits. Get excited, people! Let’s go ‘Noles!
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