As the season creeps closer, Florida State rounds out their exhibition games with an 104-76 victory over Valdosta State.
The Blazers came out and stunned the Florida State offense early with a full court press, which had the fast-paced offense searching for a way to fight through it and get the momentum going in the right direction.
While the FSU offense was slowed down by the full court press, Valdosta State came out firing from behind the perimeter firing off quick and successful 3-pointers to keep themselves right in the midst of the action.
If Valdosta had the depth to run a full court press for a full 40-minutes things could have been interesting. But the Blazers abounded the press and Florida State pulled away like they were expected to do.
Again Florida State showed what they needed to show in an exhibition. Despite the early struggled against the press, the ‘Noles moved the ball well especially in the paint which led to foul trouble for the Blazers.
Xavier Rathan-Mayes finished the game with 14 points which is a good sign, but XRM had just four assist. The offense has potential to but deadly in 2017, but if XRM can fulfill the role of a dominate passer he would take the offense to the next level.
Florida State which should not lose the rebound battle to anyone, was out rebounded offensively by the Blazers. In an exhibition you can chalk it up as not putting 100 percent into it but this could be something to keep an eye on as we move into the season.
Jonathan Isaac did not disappoint in his second exhibition, the freshman had 20 points and four rebounds. Dwayne Bacon sat on on 13 points and just two rebounds.
Even though you do not want to see a team like Florida State struggle in an exhibition. It is good for a team as young as this one to have to battle a little, to get that feeling of having to make a play before you get into the season and have not been put in that position before.
The team answered back and no one really ever felt like the game was in jeopardy. The Blazer were able to slow the offense down, but the ‘Noles finished the game shooting 56 percent.
Florida State will open the season on Saturday November 12th at 1 P.M. when they take on Charleston Southern.
