1. The number one question coming into Saturday’s game against North Carolina State was would the Seminoles have a letdown after the big win over Duke. Answer: 84-71 in favor of the Seminoles. And it wasn’t even that close as FSU not only dominated on defense but dominated on offense as well.
2. I am hard pressed to think where FSU has played this well in back to back games. Maybe this is the potential Leonard Hamilton said at the start of the season that he saw in his team.
3. Key stat: For the second game in a row the ‘Noles did not fall into the bad habit of hoisting three pointer after three pointer, with FSU taking just 13 from behind the arc. That helped contribute to a sizzling 69% from the floor in the second half and 54% for the game. NC State head coach Sidney Lowe didn’t especially like how his team played defense, but I don’t care who you are … shooting 70% for a half is hard to do at any time. Of course it helped that like Duke, NC State played very little zone defense. Surely Lowe’s staff saw the film of the VT game (not that I’m complaining mind you).
4. Five starters in double figures!!!! When is the last time you have ever seen any FSU squad do that?
5. Terrance Shannon recently cut his hair. Everyone knows the story of Sampson and Delilah. Well, the shorn locks of Shannon apparently have had the opposite affect because Terrance is playing like a man possessed.
7. As it turned out that was a meaningless criticism as FSU came out and in less than five minutes had built a 16 point lead, and for all intents and purposes the game was essentially over. Tracy Smith (and Ryan Harrow to a degree) tried his best to carry the Pack. But one against five scoring-wise will lose every time.
8. Hamilton disagreed with me the other night about Michael Snaer’s slashing to the hole disappearing to a degree this season compared to last year. After this game, NOW I agree with the coach. Welcome back to the Michael Snaer and that vicious first step we saw last season.
9. Scott Wood who? Ok, he got free on the catch and shot a couple of times. But this time around, the Seminole defense was much better prepared to stop him. And they did, holding him to just 10 points.
10. As someone who travels on job related matters, often on game day, I rely on locals to give me good info as to the best sports bars in the area. Let’s just say that from now on I will take the advice of hotel desk clerks with a grain of salt. Fortunately I had the laptop with me and thanks, Raycom, for streaming the game.
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