Florida State plays host to Iowa in the fourth annual ACC/Big Ten Challenge at the Tallahassee Leon County Civic Center. The Seminoles, who are 2-0 for the first time since the beginning of the 1997-98 season, are looking to improve to 3-0 for the first time since that 1997-98 season when they finished with an 18-12 record and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Florida State enters Monday night’s game looking to win its second ACC/Big Ten Challenge game. The Seminoles defeated Northwestern, 60-46, Dec. 1, 1999 in the inaugural challenge. The ACC has won the Commissioners Cup in each of the three previous ACC/Big Ten Challenges. Following Monday night’s game against Iowa, the Seminoles play host to Florida (Dec. 6) and Miami (Dec. 8) as they continue their school record eight-game homestand which began Nov. 24 against Savannah State (79-46 Seminole win) and concludes Dec. 22 against North Carolina.
DEFENSE IN THE HAMILTON TRADITION
Florida State has won its first two games under Leonard Hamilton and has done so by playing suffocating defense. The Seminoles have allowed a total of 93 points (46.5 points per game), have held their opponents to 28.7 percent shooting from the field, forced 55 total turnovers (27.5 per game), been credited with 31 steals (15.5 per game) and blocked 20 shots (10.0 per game). Both of Florida State’s early season opponents have shot below 30 percent (Savannah State 29.8 and Mercer, 27.6). In addition, the Seminoles are averaging 45.0 rebounds per game and are outrebounding their opponents by 8.5 rebounds a game.
EMPHASIS ON DEFENSE
Seminole head coach Leonard Hamilton’s teams have always been known for their pressure and overall intensity on defense. His first Seminole team is proving to be very similar. Florida State has held its first two opponents to an average of 57.5 shots per game (while averaging 68 shots per game) while allowing them to make an average of 16.5 field goals per game.
LOOK FOR FLORIDA STATE TO…
…Look for Florida State to improve to 3-0 for the first time since the 1997-98 season. The Seminoles won their first four games that season;
…Win its game in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge for the first time since the 1999 season. The Seminoles defeated Northwestern (60-46, 1999) before falling to Minnesota (76-71, 2000) and Northwestern (57-50, 2001) for a 1-2 record in the Challenge;
……Defeat a team from the Big Ten for the first time since Dec. 1, 1999 when the Seminoles defeated Northwestern, 60-46. Florida State was 0-1 against teams from the Big Ten last season when it fell to Northwestern in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge.
EARNING CAREER-HIGH STATISTICS
A total of seven returning Seminoles have either established new or tied existing career-high statistics during the first two games of the season. Senior center Tervor Harvey, who has established two new career highs and tied six existing personal career-highs, leads the Seminole parade with nine new statistics. Sophomore forward Andrew Wilson, who missed all but seven minutes of the 2001-02 season is second with seven changes to his personal record book.
Notes provided by Chuck Walsh of FSU's Sports Information Department