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TALLAHASSEE, Fla .– – Florida State had two weeks to cook in a Dec. 29 loss to Clemson as the season was cut short by coronavirus protocols, and the Seminoles took the opportunity to reassess and to refine.
They’re certainly rolling now, winning four straight games – three of them in double digits.
Balsa Koprivica had 13 points and 10 rebounds for his first career double-double and Florida State pulled out early and routed the 20th Clemson 80-61 on Saturday.
Sardaar Calhoun added the 13 best points of the season for Florida State (9-2, 5-1 Atlantic Coast Conference). Calhoun, a junior college transfer, made 4 of 5 3 points.
“We’re better than what we played before,” said RaiQuan Gray, who had 11 points. “We feel like we are the best team in the country and we want to go out every night and prove it. Just mark everyone off the list. Then. This is our mentality for the future.
John Newman III scored 12 points for Clemson (9-4, 3-4), who has lost three straight games.
Florida State used a 15-2 run early in the first half to take a 24-9 lead with 9:16 left to half time. The Seminoles shut down dribbling practice, a big factor in Clemson’s victory over them in December, and took a 42-24 lead at the half.
“I think in general we’ve been doing a lot of work on assist defense,” said Koprivica, a 7-foot-1 sophomore center. “It was one of our weaknesses. It starts to show a little more with each game. “
In the first half, Clemson had more turnovers (seven) than throws (4 of 24). The Tigers were 14 of 16 from the free throw line, which helped them stay in the game early before the Seminoles kicked off in the second half. Florida State led by 38 with 11:20 a.m. to go.
Clemson shot 17 of 56 (30.4%) from the floor and 5 of 30 (16.7%) from the 3-point range. The Tigers’ three straight losses – to Virginia, Georgia Tech and Florida State – have all been in double digits.
“Obviously we have to fix this problem,” said Clemson coach Brad Brownell. “I think there are guys in this locker room who care enough about doing it. … We didn’t play very well and these teams made us pay. We have lost a little confidence.
Florida State scored 29 out of 60 (48.3%) from floor and 12 out of 28 (42.9%) over a 3-point range. The Seminoles are 4-0 for the two weeks between games due to coronavirus protocols, picking up wins over NC State, North Carolina, Louisville and Clemson.
WOUNDED WEEKS
Florida state top scorer MJ Walker had 10 points but left with an injury after being struck by teammate Tanor Ngom. Walker was visibly unstable as he needed the help of his teammates to get to the Seminoles locker room. Hamilton said Walker looked “OK” during an initial assessment in the locker room.
Anthony Polite, who has missed the last two games, will be out for a week or two with shoulder fatigue, Hamilton said.
SURVEY IMPLICATIONS
After a third straight loss, Clemson will likely drop out of the Top 25. Florida State is 4-0 in the past 11 days and may move from receiving votes to the standings on Monday when the new poll is released.
TAKEAWAYS
Clemson shot poorly from the distance of 3 points early, making just 2 of 16 (12.5%) shots from beyond the arc in the first half. The Tigers were followed by double digits for most of the game and couldn’t catch up.
Florida State showed its depth with 11 players scoring, avenging a 77-67 loss to Clemson on December 29. The Seminoles haven’t lost to Clemson in Tallahassee since February 4, 2015.
NEXT
Clemson will host Boston College on Tuesday.
The state of Florida will host Miami on Wednesday.
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