Florida State, Syracuse face off seeking first ACC win

Field Level Media|published: Sat 4th January, 02:02 2025

Dec 3, 2024; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; Florida State Seminoles head coach Leonard Hamilton looks on against the LSU Tigers during the first half at Pete Maravich Assembly Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Syracuse and Florida State are each seeking their first Atlantic Coast Conference win of the season, and one will break through Saturday night when the Orange visit the Seminoles in Tallahassee, Fla.

Florida State (9-4, 0-2 ACC) is coming off a 90-76 loss to Louisville on Dec. 21, as the Seminoles struggled to defend the 3-point line and the Cardinals knocked down 15 shots from distance. Opponents are shooting 28.7 percent from long range against FSU this season, which puts the Seminoles in the top 30 in the nation.

Jamir Watkins scored 25 points against Louisville and has 20 or more points in four consecutive games. He has also hit double figures in each of his last 10 outings. Watkins is averaging a team-best 19.5 points per game.

Malique Ewin continues to provide consistent play as well, also reaching double figures in each his last 10 games. He had 17 against Louisville and is putting up 13.2 points per game

Coach Leonard Hamilton is hoping his team can take some lessons from a lopsided ACC loss.

"I'm hoping that we learn a lot from this game in how you prepare yourself going against any opponent in the ACC," Hamilton told reporters after the game.

Hamilton added that his bench will need to step up more if the Seminoles are to change their fortunes.

"When you think of the kind of team we are this year, we definitely need our rotation players to make major contributions," Hamilton said. "Sometimes that's not fair for them when you take under consideration the development process."

The Orange (6-7, 0-2) are trying to get their lineup straightened out after an 81-71 loss to Wake Forest on New Year's Eve.

Coach Adrian Autry gave reserves Lucas Taylor and Kyle Cuffe Jr. extended minutes in the loss. They responded by scoring 16 and 14 points, respectively, with each playing 36 minutes.

Autry hasn't said what the plan is when it comes to the lineup for Saturday as the Orange seek their first road victory of the season.

"I have no idea," Autry said. "We've just got to keep plugging away. I've got to figure this thing out. We can't continually keep starting and digging ourselves a hole."

--Field Level Media

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