RECAP: FSU Basketball, Jamir Watkins Beat Virginia Tech in ACC Tournament
The first half was all fireworks. All gas, no brakes. Florida State scored 36 points while shooting 55% from the floor, yet they were losing at the break because Virginia Tech shot 65%. Even with the 'Noles doing a good job of limiting Hunter Cattoor, Sean Pedulla was scoring at will with crafty finishes inside and a lethal jump shot.
MJ Collins was also doing a good job of helping VT keep the pace while Pedulla dealt with foul trouble at the end of the first half. He hit one heavily contested mid-range shot over the outstretched arms of Taylor Bol Bowen.
At the very least, Florida State did a good job of defending without fouling, but there wasn't much defending going on in general. The 'Noles were getting into the paint at will early on, giving them something to build on as they were down just 1 at the break.
The second half was much more physical, which fits Florida State more than it does Virginia Tech. The 'Noles were close to opening up a 10-point lead early in the second half, as Jamir Watkins and Jalen Warley were simply getting whatever they wanted. In the first 5 minutes of the second half, FSU outscored the Hokies 14-5, but VT would fight back.
Those fouls that weren't being called in the first half on Florida State were now catching up. Virginia Tech would go on a quick 8-1 run fueled by 6 made free throws to get themselves back in the game, then would take a 58-57 lead with 7 minutes remaining in the game after some traded buckets. It felt like Florida State was going to let another second-half lead go.
Instead, FSU responded with an 11-0 run, capped off by a Jalen Warley bucket in transition. They weren't really forcing turnovers in the first half, but they were in the second half, turning them into 14 points in the final 20 minutes alone. With 3 minutes remaining, Florida State was up 68-58.
Then the game really slowed down. Virginia Tech was fouling to extend the game, and Florida State was fouling trying to keep Virginia Tech from getting open looks, but that's not what you should be wanting to do. FSU was able to make free throws, but they could not handle Virginia Tech's press and had multiple turnovers trying to get the ball inbounds. After a steal, lay-in, and an errant inbounds pass by Jamir Watkins, it was Virginia Tech ball with about 53 seconds remaining, down just 5 points.
That would be the last of the stress. Virginia Tech would miss a few shots and Watkins would ice the game at the free throw line as the 'Noles would go on to win 86-76.
You can't talk about this game without talking about Jamir Watkins first. Have a game. He once again sets a career-high with 34 points, the most by a Seminole since Xavier Rathan-Mayes scored 35 at Miami in 2015. Yes, THAT Miami game. Add in 11 rebounds and 4 steals to boot and you really start to wonder how he wasn't an All-ACC player.
Florida State did a much better job of turning defense into offense in this game than they did the last time these two met, turning 13 Virginia Tech turnovers into 25 points in this game. That's how FSU wins basketball games. They also did a tremendous job of keeping Virginia Tech off the offensive glass, out-rebounding the Hokies 34-25 overall. What gave Florida State the win was free throw shooting. Virginia Tech is the best free throw shooting team in the conference and went 18/24 from the stripe in this game, but FSU was able to get it done by shooting 25/30 from the line.
Jalen Warley also had a tremendous game: 18 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds, 2 steals, and 8/10 from the floor. He's had some really big moments in ACC play this year and I love how much progress he's made this year.
Primo Spears was the only other Seminole in double figures with 10 points. Florida State scored 86 points and won by 10 despite Darin Green Jr having 3 points on 1/6 shooting and Cam Corhen having 8 points. Shoutout to Jamir Watkins.
Sean Pedulla fouled out towards the end of the game, but still had 24 points, and got big contributions from Tyler Nickel (18 points) and MJ Collins (15 points). However, Florida State locked up Hunter Cattoor: 8 points on just 1/5 shooting (5/7 from the FT line).
The 'Noles will get a third chance at North Carolina at noon tomorrow and they've played the Tar Heels tough in both matchups. We'll see if they can finally get over the hump tomorrow.
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