Game two of the Luke Loucks era finished with a similar result to game one, Florida State (2-0, 0-0) cracked the century mark, Jalen Crawford made a late-game three, and the ‘Noles defeated a clearly overmatched Alabama State (0-1, 0-0) 101-64. This one was over in a hurry, with FSU leading for 39:45 of the game, just about as long as you can lead a college basketball game. Florida State had five players with 12+ points and and 10 players who scored.
First Half
Fresh off dropping 108 points on Alcorn State,
the Seminoles came out flame throwing. Kobe MaGee and Lajae Jones ripped the nets on back-to-back threes, both assisted by Robert McCray V, and FSU led 6-0 before fans made it down the aisle. The fast start continued with Alex Steen and McCray joining the scoring fun, giving the ‘Noles an 18-7 lead after just four minutes.
Defensively, Florida State did their work in the passing lanes. Four different Seminoles registered steals in the opening 8 minutes, leading to 13 early points off turnovers. By the time Thomas Bassong drilled a corner three off yet another assist from McCray, FSU led 25-10, and Alabama State head coach Tony Madlock had seen enough.
If there was a bugaboo in the first half for the ‘Noles, it was the same one we saw in the exhibition season: fouls. Florida State defenders initiate pressure well beyond the three point line in this defensive system. But their inability and/or tardiness to rotate properly after the trap has been beaten repeatedly, leading to Alabama State getting guys into the paint with ease. And when that happened, Florida State fouled frequently. Add in some head-scratching calls for offensive fouls at the other end (one on Somerville for essentially getting landed on), and the Hornets were in the bonus with 7+ minutes remaining. Fortunately for Seminole fans, the visitors left plenty of points at the stripe, shooting just 6-13 in the opening frame. Nonetheless, the steady trips to the line prevented Florida State from getting out in transition, and the FSU offense sputtered. By the under-four media timeout, a lead that was once 17 had been whittled down to nine at 37-28.
Loucks lit into his team and the refs during the timeout, and the men responded. Florida State didn’t foul again and finished the half on a 9-2 run to take a 46-30 lead into the locker room.
Second Half
Loucks told the media before the half that he was about to light up his team, and the opening minutes of the second half indicated he wasn’t lying. The Seminoles opened the second stanza with an 8-0 run in the first 90 seconds, with every point coming on a dunk/layup or free throws. McCray quit taking—and missing—threes, instead driving aggressively to the rack not once, but twice. The second time off a Kobe MaGee pocket pick and assist, making the score 54-30.
The two teams traded 2s (Alabama State) for 3s (Florida State) the next couple of minutes, with MaGee swishing one from the top of the key, and Steen getting one the old fashioned way with hoop and the harm. Florida State continued to extend the lead with a three by Chauncey Wiggins and a pair of free throws by Cam Miles, good for a 65-34 lead with over 15 minutes left in the game.
With the game well in hand, things got a little sloppy as one might expect. Both squads got fastbreak layups off steals and both squads hit threes off nice passes. The margin bounced between 27 and 33 for the better part of the next 10 minutes. Best of all, Florida State kept their foot on the gas and grabbed a very NET-friendly 37 point win.
Box Score and Takeaways
- Chief of the Court – Lajae Jones wowed FSU media with his shooting during an open summer practice, and it was on full display in this one. The senior guard who transferred from St. Bonaventure went 3-3 from deep in the opening four minutes, igniting the crowd and giving FSU an early lead they’d never relinquish. He’d make it 4-4 later in the half and finished the game an ultra-efficient 8-10 from the field. However, Jones is more than just a shooter. At 6’7 and with NBA level hops, Jones can rock the rim with the best of them, which an Alabama State player found out the hard way on a posterizing slam in the second half. Jones is also a capable defender, using his big frame to guard multiple positions and crash the defensive glass.
- FSU went to the locker room up 16 and Loucks was fuming. That’s a great sign in a coach, reminds me of Curt Cignetti up in Bloomington. But it’s a bit concerning for the Seminoles. Two games into the season, and they’re already feeling themselves enough to play sloppy, lazy basketball? For a team that talked all summer about playing with a chip on its shoulder, it sure didn’t take long to forget they were picked last in the ACC by some in the media. Loucks wants them playing loose and free spirited, but that’s not the same as sloppy.
- Thomas Bassong is dripping with potential. He reminds me a little of a smaller, quicker Mfiondu Kabengele, but he’s already more skilled than Fi was at this stage of his first year on campus. He’s a legitimate threat from the perimeter, especially in the corner, and his long arms and strong anticipation are a nightmare in passing lanes and the offensive glass. We need to open the NIL wallet for him next off season.
- FSU attempted 47 threes. That’s a lot.
Up Next
FSU faces a monumental step up in competition when they head down to Gainesville to play the defending national champion Florida Gators. The ‘Noles will likely be double-digit underdogs in this one, but it’ll be an intriguing watch to see how Luke Loucks’ pace-and-space system looks against an elite opponent.
The game tips at 7:00pm on Tuesday, November 11 (Veterans Day) and will be broadcast on the SEC Network.
