Will FSU's Matthew Cleveland Play Against Miami?
After scoring only 6 points versus Pittsburgh on Feb. 11, every Miami player should be ready for 6-foot-7 Florida State forward Matthew Cleveland to come out firing on Saturday.
That’s if the sophomore from Atlanta is able to play. He’s been nursing an injured back and did not play during games against Clemson and Boston College. Assuming Cleveland does take to the hardwood, here’s what he brings to the court for the Seminoles.
Cleveland has averaged 14 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 2 assists per game this year. Those numbers have primarily been consistent, too.
Before his performance against Pittsburgh, he scored in double digits in every game dating back to the Stanford contest on Nov. 25, for 18 consecutive double-digit performances. His abilities have been noticed as well.
👏 @MCleveland35 has been named as a Top 10 Finalist for the Julius Erving Award!
— Florida State Men’s Basketball (@FSUHoops) February 8, 2023
🔗https://t.co/k1YEtNUVNq#NewBlood pic.twitter.com/jo0aLWReiM
Cleveland’s all-around athleticism and basketball skills have been noticed by the Julius Erving Award, and the Canes need to be ready for a heightened effort from him inside the Watsco Center, too.
Any true top-notch offensive performer will be motivated to get going again. He’s a unique offensive player as well. Consider the following uptick in his shooting.
As a freshman, Cleveland knocked down just 17.6% of his 3-point shots. This season, however, Cleveland has vastly improved his downtown shooting to the point of having hit 37.3% of his triples.
Cleveland has also been a talented rebounder, with 11 games of 10 or more boards. Thus, he can make it happen underneath the bucket with offensive putbacks.
When Miami went up to Tallahassee and trounced the Seminoles 86-63 on Jan. 24, Cleveland was held to 10 points on 4 of 12 shooting. Miami did a quality job of getting a hand up and being aggressive with Cleveland.
It will be interesting to see how Miami players like Isaiah Wong, Jordan Miller and Wooga Poplar attempt to defend Miller the second time they play, especially with him probably not being 100% healthy at this point.
On Saturday night, all Miami players can do would be assume that Cleveland comes out and plays. He’s one heck of a player, when healthy, and the Canes will be battling one of the Atlantic Coast Conference’s best performers if does indeed suit up.
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Fan Nation High school football recruiting analyst covering the state of Florida, as well as across the Southeastern United States and the state of Texas.