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FSU Seminoles set season-low for first-half points — again — in Sweet Sixteen

Jonathan Tully
Tallahassee Democrat

Well, that wasn't pretty.

Last week, the Florida State Seminoles set a season-low for first-half scoring with 24 points, though they were leading Colorado. On Sunday, they beat that record -- 21 points, and a double-digit halftime deficit to top-seeded Michigan in the Sweet 16.

This is an unfortunate first half: 

  • 10-for-30 from the field
  • 0-for-7 from the three-point line
  • 1-for-2 from the free-throw line
  • 10 turnovers
  • 16 Michigan points off turnovers

CBS Sports analyst Wally Szczerbiak said the Seminoles "looked confused on the floor," while NBA great Charles Barkley took it one step farther: "Florida State was flatout awful."

If there was one highlight, it was the play of big man Balca Koprivica, who scored seven points on 3-of-4 shooting, but even Koprivica had issues on occasion with Michigan's Hunter Dickinson and Brandon Johns Jr.

However, the Seminoles had to get by with two major offensive players, RaiQuan Gray and Anthony Polite, on the bench with two fouls.

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Florida State Seminoles vs. Michigan Wolverines: What you need to know

Florida State (18-6) has now been in the NCAA Sweet 16 in 2018, 2019 and this season -- the 2020 tournament was canceled due to the COVID pandemic. The Seminoles are led by guard M.J. Walker (12.3 points a game) and forward RaiQuan Gray (12 points a game). Against Colorado, guard Anthony Polite scored a career-high 20 points as the 'Noles pulled away with a stifling second half. Prior to the win over Colorado, Florida State defeated UNC Greensboro 64-54 in the first round.

Michigan (22-4) won the Big Ten regular-season title but lost to Ohio State in the conference tournament. The Wolverines are led by center Hunter Dickinson (14.2 points, 7.5 rebounds a game), but second-leading scorer Isaiah Livers (12.5 points a game) is unlikely to return this season following a foot injury. The Wolverines beat Texas Southern 78-66 and LSU 86-78 to reach this point.

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