Florida State was not nearly as sharp as it was in its season opener, but the Seminoles still handled Troy in their first game at the Donald L. Tucker Center, winning 91-68
FSU improved to 2-0 under Luke Loucks while playing in front of a sold-out student section. The Seminoles had to work through an uneven offensive start before eventually settling in and pulling away.
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Here are five takeaways from Florida State’s win over Troy.
Marcis Ponder continues to look like a force inside
Marcis Ponder continues to show why expectations are so high for the freshman center, finishing with 10 points and 10 rebounds in 23 minutes.
The 7-footer recorded his second double-double in as many games and again overwhelmed defenders with his size and physicality. His “Baby Shaq” nickname looked fitting against Troy.
If Ponder can stay out of foul trouble, maintain his energy and consistently play to his size, he has the tools to become a major problem for ACC opponents.
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Sebastian Rancik looks like FSU’s most reliable scorer
Sebastian Rancik once again looked like the most dependable offensive player on the floor, finishing with 18 points.
The Colorado transfer has quickly established himself as a player FSU can turn to when the offense stalls. His ability to score from different areas of the floor gives the Seminoles a reliable option in the half-court.
Through two games, Rancik has looked every bit like one of the most important additions to Loucks’ roster.
Shon Abaev found his offensive rhythm
After a quiet season opener, Shon Abaev showed much more of what made him such an intriguing addition, finishing with a team-high 20 points, seven rebounds, and six assists.
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Abaev attacked aggressively, knocked down shots from the perimeter and created offense off the dribble. His willingness to drive to the basket gave FSU another scoring option when its outside shots were not falling early.
If Abaev can consistently provide that type of offense alongside Rancik, FSU becomes much more difficult to defend.
Loucks’ emphasis on rebounding is paying off
Florida State remained aggressive on the glass, winning the rebound battle 46-21 and continuing an encouraging trend from the season opener.
Loucks has emphasized rebounding throughout the offseason, including one-on-one rebounding drills in practice, and that physicality is already showing up in games. Ponder is a major part of that improvement, but the effort extends throughout the roster. FSU also continues to look improved at the free-throw line compared with last season.
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FSU’s depth is already becoming a strength
The Seminoles have several players capable of making an impact on any given night.
Anthony Robinson II provides a veteran presence in the backcourt, while Kam Taylor once again showcased his athleticism and reached double figures. Brandon Bass Jr. also continued to make a case for more opportunities with one of the better shooting strokes on the roster.
FSU was not perfect against Troy, especially offensively early in the game, but the Seminoles showed they have enough depth and versatility to win even when everything is not clicking.
At 2-0, that might be one of the more encouraging signs of Loucks’ young tenure.
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This article originally appeared on FSU Wire: Five takeaways from FSU’s home opener win over Troy
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: Sports.yahoo.com
