Despite losing 91-87 to the Duke Blue Devils, there were a lot of positives for the Seminoles.
It’s been a rough start so far for the Florida State Seminoles to begin ACC play, but there was a ray of light in their loss Saturday to the Duke Blue Devils.
Although the Noles lost 91-87, what you saw was more fight out of this squad (7-8, 0-2) than in their first game against the North Carolina Tar Heels.
The Noles actually led the Blue Devils twice in the game, outshot Duke from the field (especially the perimeter), and they committed fewer turnovers. The Blue Devils, however, made 23 of 25 free throws attempts and had an answer on every possession every time Florida State needed to make a stop down the stretch.
The upsides weren't enough, but the Noles can build off of this defeat so that they may not be that far off from making a run in the ACC. They also may have provided a blueprint for other teams on how to defeat the Blue Devils.
“Not happy with the loss,” Florida State head coach Luke Loucks told reporters after the game. “But (I'm) encouraged with the direction of this program, that I think will continue to improve and move in the right direction.”
The Noles were led by point guard Robert McCray, who had 22 points, and forward Chauncy Wiggins, who also scored 22 points.
Even Duke coach Jon Scheyer praised the Noles' efforts on Saturday.
“Credit to Florida State and the way they played,” Scheyer said. “I’ve known Luke for some time. Obviously, I played against him. I’m a big fan of what he’s done because I’ve been in his shoes. First year, taking over the program that you played for and love.
“And I think he’s continued to build on the things they do really well, but then also have a strong identity of what he believes in for his group."
Florida State shoots a lot of 3-pointers, Scheyer noted, and play fast-paced basketball.
"It makes for a very dangerous team -- especially if they’re hitting," he said. "And tonight they were hitting.”
It sounds like Duke's coach was telling FSU fans to be patient with Loucks and allow him to build this program. Things may be a little rough this first season, but if Saturday is any indication, the Noles won’t be down for long.
“If we play the way we’ve played these past two games, we’re going to win a lot of games in the ACC,” Loucks said. “The improvement is there — from where we were during that five-game stretch to where we are now (are) two completely different teams.
"We have some fight to us. Some competitive spirit.”
The Seminoles next face the North Carolina State Wolfpack on Saturday at 11 a.m. ET.