TALLAHASSEE —
Florida State has had some sluggish starts the past few seasons.
In the 2010-11 season, the Seminoles opened 11-5 and struggled in early January losses at Auburn and Virginia Tech. But FSU recovered to finish 23-11 and reach the Elite Eight.
Last season, the Seminoles started 9-6 after beginning the ACC schedule with a road loss to Clemson. But they recovered to win 10 of 11 games, finish 25-10 and win the conference tournament for the first time.
This season has also seen FSU out of rhythm from the start. FSU is 4-3 going into today’s showdown at home against No. 6 Florida (6-0). The Seminoles have lost two straight games, both at home, to Minnesota and Mercer.
FSU lost six seniors to graduation, and the result has been a hit-and-miss first seven games. Senior guard Michael Snaer (14.1 points) and junior forward Okaro White (13.4 points) lead the way for FSU, but coach Leonard Hamilton said the veterans need to do more to help the team.
“We’ve had pretty good practices, but we have not always transferred those good practices to the actual games,” Hamilton said. “We’ve been a little inconsistent in that area. We have a better understanding of where we’re coming up short.
“Any time you have a lot of new players, there are learning curves. But we also need our veterans to lead by example.”
Florida is off to its best start since going 8-0 to open the 2009-10 season and is winning by an average of 25.3 points per game.
The Gators feature a balanced, experienced lineup that has four players averaging in double figures: guard Kenny Boynton (14.5), forward Erik Murphy (12.3), guard Mike Rosario (11.0) and center Patric Young (10.3).
Florida has won three straight in the series against FSU, including an 82-64 rout in Gainesville last season.
And the Gators are well-rested after their last game, an 82-49 rout of Marquette on Thursday.
“They are playing outstanding basketball,” Hamilton said.
Tip-off is at 7:00 p.m. Broadcast on ESPNU, blacked out on ESPN3 in the eastern half of the country.
