FSU, Louisville have skid in common
Special to the Outlook
Florida State and Louisville have this much in common: Both men’s basketball programs are struggling at this stage of the season.
The Cardinals lost their first eight games and FSU is 1-9 at this point. Things will change a little for someone of them when the two teams meet this Saturday at the Tucker Center.
They are going into the game coming off close setback. FSU lost by six points to Virginia after overcoming a two-digit deficit in the closing minutes. Louisville suffered a 27-point loss to University of Miami.
In last Saturday’s game against the Cavaliers, Kihei Clark scored a game-high 18 points on four made field goals and nine free throws to lead No. 3 Virginia to a 62-57 victory over FSU in the first ACC conference game of the season for both teams.
Jayden Gardner contributed 10 points and seven rebounds to Virginia’s seventh win of the season. The Cavaliers improved to 7-0.
Florida State’s Matthew Cleveland earned his third career double-double with 11 points and a career-high tying 10 rebounds.
The Seminoles trailed by 12 (49-37) with 5:36 to play and outscored the Cavaliers by a 20-13 margin to close the game. The Seminoles were within three as they made it a one-possession game when Caleb Mills completed a three-point play with seven seconds remaining.
The Cavaliers increased their lead to five (62-57) on two free throws by Reese Beekman with six seconds left to play.
Florida State’s Tom House was slightly off the mark on a last second 3-point shot and Virginia held on for the victory.
Florida State scored 15 points compared to Virginia’s 11 points to close the game, a total which included seven made free throws in the final minute of the game.
Darin Green Jr. led the Seminoles with 17 points off of six made field goals and three made 3-point field goals.
