Florida State hopes for its first road win and to even its ACC record as the Seminoles continue conference play on Wednesday night at Pittsburgh. Florida State was handled on the road Sunday night against Syracuse and will be facing a Pittsburgh team that also comes in 1-2 in ACC play after falling at home to Clemson on Saturday.
Florida State (9-7) struggled on Sunday with Rakeem Christmas and will have its hands full again with Pittsburgh’s 6’9″ sophomore Michael Young. Young leads the Panthers with better than 13 points and nearly eight rebounds-per-game. Young is shooting 52 percent and slowing him down must be a priority for Phil Cofer, Jarquez Smith, Kiel Turpin and the rest of the FSU frontcourt.
The guard match-up could be key on Wednesday as both teams possess a pair of guards who can handle the ball. Junior James Robinson leads the Panthers (11-5) with 4.6 assists-per-game while scoring nearly 11 points. Florida State’s Xavier Rathan-Mayes is averaging 12.5 points and a team-high 4.5 assists-per-game for the Seminoles.
Devon Bookert struggled mightily against Syracuse, but is averaging just under 10 points and three assists for the Seminoles. Despite missing five games, Bookert leads the team with 21 3-pointers made for the season. Pittsburgh’s sophomore guard Josh Kewkirk is getting nearly eight points and four assists each time out for the Panthers.
Forward Jamel Artis, who averages over nine points and five rebounds, will likely draw the toughest assignment for the Panthers as he’ll be matched up with Florida State’s Montay Brandon. Brandon leads the Seminoles, averaging 13.2 points and 5.6 rebounds-per-game while shooting 57 percent from the floor.
The Seminoles were able to go into Pittsburgh and defeat the Panthers last February by a 71-66 margin. FSU’s Okaro White and Pittsburgh’s Lamar Patterson each finished with 22 points and 8 rebounds in the Seminole victory.
Wednesday’s contest is set to start after 9:00 P.M. eastern time. It will be broadcast on the Raycom Sports Network and ESPN3.
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