Is the Florida State basketball team really intimidated this easily? The Seminoles lost another road game on Sunday when they got blown out in Chapel Hill by North Carolina, 89-69. Let's look at some reasons why FSU lost this game before we look at how bad of a road team they are.
Chris Singleton struggled with fouls again, fouling twice within the first 9 minutes of the game. He had to sit out for the remaining 11:09 of the half. Derwin Kitchen played an overall ugly game, which is never an ingredient to success for this team. They have been living and dying on his performances ever since the Duke game.
The 'Noles also went 4-21 from behind the arch, and 9-18 from the free throw line. You can't miss that many shots and expect to win a basketball game.
But most importantly, Florida State did not do what they have done best- play suffocating defense. They allowed a team to score over 80 points on them, something that FSU hasn't allowed since January 12, 2010.
But I'd like to talk about something that doesn't have to do with this game specifically, but how this team has performed on the road all season long. And the way that we have performed on the road all season long has been absolutely terrible.
We have really only won 1- yes, ONE- true road game against a creditable team. Take a look at all the road games we have played this season:
UNC-Greensboro, W 97-73
Florida International, W 89-66
Loyola Marymount, W 74-63
Hawaii, W 70-62
(Note on the four teams above: UNC-Greensboro is currently 4-18. Florida International is 9-14. Loyola Marymount is 9-15. Hawaii is 13-10.)
Baylor, W 68-61 (Game played at neutral location.)
Here is where it starts to get ugly:
Auburn, L 65-60
Virginia Tech, L 71-59
Miami, W 55-53
Clemson, L 62-44
North Carolina, L 89-69
So the Miami win was our only true road win of the season. And we only won by 2 points in a game that went down to the final seconds. Auburn had a lead the whole game, but it wasn't very large. Virginia Tech, Clemson, and North Carolina slaughtered the 'Noles. Clemson even managed to double FSU's points at one point in the game.
It isn't that uncommon have struggles on the road. But every single loss has been so bad, and look at how Florida State has performed at home. They have only lost two games at home all season- to the top ranked team in the land, Ohio State, and to Florida, who is almost a lock for the NCAA Tournament after their win against Kentucky Saturday night.
If FSU plans to make their third straight NCAA Tournament, their road woes need to change. They have four games away from the Civic Center left- Georgia Tech, Wake Forest, Maryland, and NC State. In my opinion, if they lose two of those games, their name won't be shown on Selection Sunday.
FSU's next game is- here comes that horrid word for Seminoles fans- AT Georgia Tech, on Thursday. We'll see if they can turn things around then. Until next time, 'Noles fans.
