Miami ends FSU Basketball series win streak with authority
Florida State men’s basketball coach Leonard Hamilton predicted his team would see an inspired effort from the rival Miami Hurricanes on Tuesday night.
There is absolutely no way he could have expected this.
The Hurricanes broke their series-record nine-game losing streak to Florida State with an 86-63 victory in a game that was never really competitive.
Miami (16-4, 7-3 ACC) connected on 9 of 14 3-pointers in the first half and demolished the Seminoles on the glass to take a 54-28 lead into halftime.
“I told our guys prior to the game that the team that would win this game tonight would be the team that had the most determination — whoever the game meant more to,” Hamilton said. “And I think that was obvious tonight — they came mentally and emotionally prepared.
“It’s hard to shoot that well from the perimeter if you’re in the gym shooting by yourself, with no defense around you at all.”
The Hurricanes also claimed a remarkable 22-6 edge in rebounding in the first half and parlayed their seven offensive rebounds into a 19-0 advantage in second-chance points.
For the game, Miami finished with a 40-23 edge on the boards.
“I think we set a record tonight; I’ve never been on a team that got no offensive rebounds in a half,” Hamilton said. “I’ve never seen that. Never heard of it.”
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Miami was led offensively by guards Isaiah Wong and Nijel Pack with 18 points apiece and three other players in double-figures. This was the Hurricanes’ first win over FSU in more than four years.
And Hurricanes head coach Jim Larranaga said he spoke to his players about that streak before the game.
“I told the players Florida State’s got a great basketball program,” Larranaga said. “Leonard Hamilton does a great job. They have very good players. And we were very competitive with them early in my stay at Miami. But the last few years, that nine-game winning streak was gnawing at me.
“I told the players we needed to come ready to play. And we did.”
Caleb Mills led Florida State with 12.
With the loss, the Seminoles fall to 7-14 overall and 5-5 in the ACC.
The Seminoles return to action Saturday against visiting Clemson.
“I’m hopeful that tonight’s beatdown will get us more ready and more determined and prepared mentally to play against Clemson,” Hamilton said. I’m sure our guys, when they watch the film, they’re gonna feel the same way I felt.”
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