The Syracuse basketball team faced off against the Florida State Seminoles at the JMA Wireless Dome on Tuesday at 9 p.m. This Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) matchup was broadcasted on the ACC Network, providing fans with live updates and postgame analysis on El-Balad podcasts.
Game Overview
The Syracuse Orange aimed for their third consecutive victory, entering the matchup with an 11-5 record and a 2-1 mark in the ACC. Florida State, on the other hand, struggled this season with a 7-9 record and an 0-3 start in conference play under coach Luke Loucks.
Key Players and Performances
- Donnie Freeman – Emerging as a star, Freeman averaged 24.5 points and seven rebounds in recent games, showcasing an impressive shooting percentage of 54.8.
- Robert McCray V – The leading scorer for Florida State, averaging 13.7 points per game.
- Kobe McGee – Key contributor for the Seminoles, averaging 10.9 points and leading in 3-pointers made.
Team Strategies and Statistics
Both teams employed a fast-paced game style early on, with Florida State initially leading 15-14. The Orange, despite trailing 11-3 at one point, showed resilience. The matchup involved a significant focus on 3-point shooting, with Syracuse attempting 9 shots from beyond the arc, while Florida State attempted 6.
Lineups
The starting lineup for Florida State included:
- Thomas Bassong
- Chauncey Wiggins
- Alier Maluk
- Cody Magee
- Robert McCray V
Syracuse’s starting five featured:
- Donnie Freeman
- Will Kyle III
- Nate Kingz
- JJ Starling
- Naithan George
Calvin Russell’s Debut
In a notable addition, Syracuse’s top football recruit, Calvin Russell, joined the basketball team, marking his first appearance in uniform. His arrival adds to Syracuse’s history of dual-sport athletes, as he is the first football-first player to transition to basketball in this manner.
Conclusion
The matchup between Syracuse and Florida State highlighted key performances and strategies from both teams. With strong individual players like Donnie Freeman making headlines, the Orange looked to secure another win in their ongoing campaign.
