College Basketball

FSU Basketball Recap: 'Noles Destroy Clemson in Return Home

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 7:52 p.m. ET

Fansided, Frank Urbina/FanSided via Chop Chat

FSU basketball demolishes the Clemson Tigers in their return to Tallahassee after three road games, getting their 20th win of the season.

Well, the effort and execution issues from last week appear to be gone. After opening the week with a big win against the rival Miami Hurricanes, FSU basketball returned to the TLCC for the first time in three games. What awaited them was a respectable Clemson Tigers team, ranked top-30 according to KenPom, who were coming off back-to-back wins. The Seminoles responded to the challenge in a big way. In the form of a 109 – 61 shellacking.

The game never really even felt that close, either. After the first 20 minutes of action, Clemson had more turnovers (14) than shots made (eight). The halftime lead for FSU was 51-25, and things got uglier from there. At one point, the Tigers faced an 85-44 deficit. It was simply utter domination by Florida State.

Interestingly enough, the lead just kept growing even despite quiet games from Jonathan Isaac and Xavier Rathan-Mayes. Isaac finished with just two points and Mayes with six. Dwayne Bacon though, finally got back on track. We’ll get to his performance in a bit. And the bench, or the boom squad as they like to be called, returned to form as well.

For the record, before this game, Joe Lunardi had Clemson pegged as 10-seed in the NCAA Tournament. This showing will probably take them down a notch, but regardless… scoring 109 points against a potential tournament team? And beating them by 48? Absolutely insane. What a performance.

FSU basketball (20-4, 8-3 ACC) finished with 17 three-pointers and shot 66 percent from the field.

Clemson finished with 22 turnovers and 21 field goals, while shooting 38 percent from the floor. Major credit to FSU’s defense.

Let’s hand out some hardware. I’m pretty sure everyone knows who’s getting player of the game.

Feb 5, 2017; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles guard Dwayne Bacon (4) moves the ball around Clemson Tigers guard Marcquise Reed (2) during the second half at the Donald L. Tucker Center. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports

Player of the Game

I’ve been riding Dwayne Bacon kind of hard lately. With good reason too — over his last eight games, he had been shooting 38 percent from the floor. But after his showing against the Tigers, it’s safe to say, he’s back. Bacon finished the game with 29 points (tied his career-high), on 10-of-14 shooting. He made 6 three-pointers, and all 3 of his free-throws. Destructive efficiency out of Bake.

He also had one of the nicest half-court alley-oops I’ve ever seen.

Final Four bound. #FSU pic.twitter.com/QrzEDURqTa

— Frank Urbina (@frankurbina_) February 5, 2017

It actually reminded me of vintage Dwyane Wade tossing that memorable lob to Shaq back in 2007.

But Bacon’s pass was from further back, and he had a much smaller target. Mann isn’t quite the same size as an out-of-shape, leaving-his-prime Shaq. Thus, Bacon’s alley was better. Deal with it.

Feb 5, 2017; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles guard Braian Angola-Rodas (11) shoots the ball past Clemson Tigers guard Legend Robertin (00) during the second half at the Donald L. Tucker Center. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports

Ryan Reid Unsung Hero Award

This one is hard, as there are just so many good options. I’m going with Braian Angola-Rodas though. The junior college transfer had been having a pretty quiet season, but you could see the makings of a really good ACC player. Today, it started to come together for him.

Rodas finished with 12 points on 4-for-4 shooting. He made all 3 of his three-pointers, and played excellent defense. If he can start clicking from the outside (he was brought in to be a knockdown shooter), the boom squad could take their game to another level.

Honorable mention goes to everyone not named Dwayne Bacon. Isaac was nearly silent, but he didn’t let that effect his defensive effort. Mayes only scored 6, but had 9 assists to just 1 turnover. Christ Koumadje played great defense, blocking 2 shots in his limited minutes. Even if you discount Bacon’s efficient shooting, the rest of the team still shot 65 percent from the floor.

That was a Final Four type of effort. Hopefully that’s not the last time I say that this season.

Highlights

Bacon shoots with feet still inside FSU's midcourt logo. Is that good? Seems pretty good. pic.twitter.com/vl2vPwfpTB

— Singleshot ⚾ (@Singleshot25) February 5, 2017

Bacon shooting from Dulkys range. He was not bad today.

First time in the Leonard Hamilton era @fsuhoops has dropped ???? in ACC play. #GoNoles! ???????????? pic.twitter.com/EK3VubtMvj

— Singleshot ⚾ (@Singleshot25) February 5, 2017

Always fun to see PJ Savoy, the best three-point shooter on the team, earn three the hard way.

Koumadje just ain't having it today. FSU doubles up Clemson's score pic.twitter.com/CbGj6aliKt

— Singleshot ⚾ (@Singleshot25) February 5, 2017

Up Next

Florida State returns to action on Wednesday night. They host the NC State Wolfpack, who are led by freshman superstar Dennis Smith Jr. Smith is NBA-bound after this season, and will likely be a top-3 pick. So it should be fun to see how he does against the Seminoles defense.

The game tips at 7 PM. Check back with us on Wednesday for our preview.