Heartbreak in Birmingham! In a nail-biting, high-scoring affair, Florida State University (FSU) Seminoles lost a close one to No. 15 ranked Alabama Crimson Tide, 109-105, at the "Ballin' in Boutwell" exhibition game. But here's the real kicker: This game marked Luke Loucks' debut as head coach. Did the Seminoles show promise despite the loss, or does this signal trouble ahead? Let's dive in.
The exhibition showdown took place Thursday evening at the Boutwell Auditorium in Birmingham, Alabama. While it doesn't count towards the official season record, this game provided a crucial first look at the team under new leadership. The Seminoles, hungry for a fresh start, battled fiercely against a tough, nationally ranked opponent.
Right from the tip-off, the energy was palpable. The game was a true back-and-forth slugfest, featuring an incredible 14 lead changes and 10 ties! FSU held the lead for a significant portion of the game (18 minutes and 27 seconds), while Alabama led for 16 minutes and 34 seconds, proving just how closely matched these teams were.
At halftime, FSU held a narrow 48-47 lead, a testament to their offensive firepower and resilience. The first half was a rollercoaster, with both teams experiencing double-digit leads. FSU surged ahead by 10 points at one stage, only to see Alabama answer with an 11-point run of their own. This highlights the importance of consistency, a key area for improvement as the season progresses.
FSU's offense was powered by a balanced attack, with five players reaching double figures in scoring: Robert McCray V led the charge with an impressive 26 points. Chauncey Wiggins contributed 16 points, followed by Lajae Jones with 15, Kobe Magee with 14, and Cam Miles rounding out the group with 10. Miles also spearheaded the Seminoles' bench scoring, which totaled 28 points throughout the game. That's a great sign of depth to start the season.
From a statistical perspective, FSU shot 32-of-79 (40.5%) from the field and connected on 14-of-43 (32.6%) of their three-point attempts. They also made 27-of-39 (69.2%) of their free throws. While the shooting percentages could use some improvement, the sheer volume of shots indicates an aggressive offensive mindset.
FSU dominated the boards, securing a 46-41 rebounding advantage. Their 23 offensive rebounds were particularly impactful, leading to 24 second-chance points. The Seminoles also displayed solid ball movement, racking up 15 assists, led by McCray, Wiggins, and Jones with three apiece. However, they did commit 11 turnovers, which Alabama capitalized on, scoring 17 points off those miscues. This is an area where Loucks will likely focus on tightening up the team's performance. And this is the part most people miss: Turnover margin can be a bigger indicator of future success than just raw point totals.
Defensively, FSU recorded nine steals, showcasing their ability to disrupt Alabama's offense. They also blocked two shots, both courtesy of Shah Muhammad. Alabama, on the other hand, turned the ball over 15 times, allowing FSU to score 16 points off those errors.
Alabama's Labaron Philon led all scorers with a game-high 28 points. As a team, the Crimson Tide shot 31-of-62 (50.0%) from the field, including 12-of-34 (35.3%) from beyond the arc. They also converted 35-of-49 (71.4%) of their free throws.
FSU will have another opportunity to fine-tune their game when they host Florida A&M on Sunday, October 26th, at 4 p.m. at the Donald L. Tucker Center in Tallahassee.
More to come as the season progresses.
But here's where it gets controversial... Some analysts believe that exhibition games are poor indicators of a team's true potential, while others argue that they offer valuable insights into team chemistry and coaching strategies. What do you think? Does this close loss against a ranked opponent provide a reason for optimism, or does it expose some fundamental flaws that need to be addressed before the regular season begins? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
