First Half Thoughts: Speed kills, strength devastates
Florida State has pushed the pace of the game and has caused a little bit of a sloppy start to this one. The ball has bounced around a few times beneath the basket, but it has mostly been Florida State coming out on top. The Seminoles hold a 15-11 lead with 11:46 left in the half.
A big key the Seminoles’ lead has been the speed of the game. Both teams are running up and down the court and Florida State is looking to break off every missed shot. The team has had some opportunities as Toney Douglas completed a layup and foul shot to give the Seminoles the lead.
NU offensively has been able to respond by attacking the basket and getting to the foul line. But both of those have gotten the Wildcats into some trouble.
They are shooting a paltry three of eight from the foul line. That difference is the deficit in the game.
When the Cats are not getting hacked when they get to the rim they are finding the ball bouncing back toward them. Florida State averages nearly six blocks per game. The team has four already — including back-to-back blocks of Luka Mirkovic and John Shurna right at the rim by Solomon Alabi.
A lot is made about NU’s lack of dunks in recent years. But there is something to be said about dunking. The way the Cats are attacking the basket is leaving them open to challenges and blocks by the Florida State defense, which has been quick to recover off of ball reversals and screens.
If NU players will gather themselves more and go up strong with the ball at the rim — with two hands — they will not only get the foul but likely the bucket too. It is not a dunking thing. It is a strenght thing NU needs to overcome.
At least the Cats’ defense has been effective. Florida State has not been able to extend the lead and has committed numerous turnovers.
