RECAP: Florida State Blown Out by South Florida, 88-72, in Orange Bowl Classic

The Seminoles have dropped three straight games in disappointing fashion.

There was such hope, such promise to start the year. If the season could live after the Sunshine Slam, the world would be a better place. Two double-digit second-half leads against Georgia and UNC led to losses, and in this game, FSU never had a lead, falling behind by as many as 26 points.

USF came into this game shooting 24.2% from 3, while FSU allowed teams to shoot 25.2% from 3, so naturally USF shoots 12/23 (52.2%). It is by far the highest percentage FSU has allowed all season. 

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Florida State didn't look like they wanted to be there, USF wanted ALL of the smoke. They refused to let the Seminoles drive to the basket, wouldn't let the shooters get any clear looks, and went bonkers from 3 and got to the free-throw line. FSU didn't stand a chance just looking at the box score alone. 

The crazy thing is, FSU DID have a chance. They had fought the lead down to 9 points with 13:15 left. USF responded with an immediate 11-1 run over the next two minutes and it was over after that. USF would go on to win 88-72, and it was only that respectable because USF stopped playing defense. 

Orange Bowl Classic Box Score, USF Wins 88-72 / Orange Bowl Classic StatBroadcast

Florida State only made three fewer field goals than USF and lost by 16. You have to try to do that. FSU shot more free throws, but USF made more of them, and USF had 4 more baskets from 3-point land than FSU. Just a disgusting game. I'm honestly even surprised the 'Noles ended up shooting 39% from the floor because it never felt that high. 

There's no one to highlight if we're being honest. Baba Miller had his first career double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds, but he was also 3/9 from the floor and 4/13 from the free-throw line. Four of thirteen. Unexcusable. 

Jamir Watkins was also in double-figures, with 15 points and 8 rebounds, but fouled out midway through the second half and looked very disinterested at times early in the first half. 

Darin Green Jr. had as tough of a go of it as anyone, just 3 points, 1/6 from the floor, 4 turnovers, 1/3 from 3, and 0/3 from the free throw line. USF was on him as soon as he tried to catch the ball, and that's what happens on teams with little to no playmaking. 

For USF, Selton Miguel led the way with 20 points (would've had 22 if he didn't miss a point-blank transition layup) and Chris Youngblood wasn't far behind. 

This was an embarrassing loss for Florida State. No sugarcoating it. They'll have a week to regroup before playing a solid SMU team at home on Saturday. 

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