Duke Blue Devils Survive a Tough Road Test Against the Florida State Seminoles
Florida State played like a team possessed, throwing everything but the kitchen sink at the No. 6-ranked Duke Blue Devils. But in college hoops, “almost” doesn’t count for much in the standings. Despite a furious rally and a shooting performance that had the Seminoles dreaming of an upset, Duke walked away with a white-knuckle 91-87 victory.
Isaiah Evans: The New King of Clutch
If you’re looking for the reason Duke escaped Florida State with their dignity intact, look no further than Isaiah Evans. The sophomore didn’t just play well; he played like he had ice water in his veins.
Evans exploded for a career-high 28 points, and every single bucket felt necessary. When FSU’s Kobe MaGee hit a circus three to cut the lead to a single possession late in the game, the arena was rocking. Most players would tighten up. Evans? He just casually drove for a layup, then buried a three-pointer from the wing moments later to silence the crowd.
While the freshman sensation Cameron Boozer filled the stat sheet (17 points, 9 assists, 5 boards), it was Evans who put the team on his back when the offense looked stagnant. If this is the version of Evans that shows up for the rest of ACC play, the rest of the league is in serious trouble.
A Shootout At the OK Corral
Let’s give credit where it’s due: Florida State didn’t play like an unranked team sitting under .500. They played like a squad with nothing to lose.
For the first 20 minutes, the Seminoles were unconscious from deep, hitting 5-of-6 three-pointers to start the game. Chauncey Wiggins and Robert McCray V both dropped 22 points, matching each other shot for shot. FSU led for nearly the entire first half, and every time Duke tried to pull away in the second, FSU clawed back.
They finished the night shooting a blistering 46.7% from three-point land (14-of-30). Usually, if you hit 14 threes at home, you win the game. But basketball is a cruel game of inches (and free throws).
The Charity Stripe Difference
Here is the cold, hard truth of why Duke is leaving Florida with a win: Free throws. The Blue Devils were surgical from the line, knocking down 23-of-25 attempts (92%). That is winning basketball. On the other end, FSU left the door open just a crack, shooting 11-of-16. In a game decided by four points, those missed opportunities are going to haunt the film sessions this week.
When the game turned into a foul-fest in the final minute, Duke didn’t blink. Evans and Boozer stepped up and drained their shots to ice the game. It wasn’t pretty, and the Blue Devils definitely have some defensive issues to clean up on the perimeter, but good teams find a way to win when they aren’t playing their best.
Duke moves to 13-1, surviving a massive scare. FSU drops to 7-8, proving once again that they are the most dangerous sub-.500 team in the country.
