Florida State and UMass are set to clash Sunday afternoon on the third and final day of the Naismith Hall of Fame Tip-Off in Uncasville, Conn.
Both teams are trending in opposite directions as they enter the nonconference contest.
The Seminoles (5-1) won their first game of the event 78-69 over Temple on Friday. It was Florida State’s second win in a row after it suffered its only loss of the season to rival Florida on Nov. 15.
On the other hand, the Minutemen (1-4) lost 87-80 to Temple on Saturday, dropping their fourth game in a row after a season-opening win over New Hampshire. UMass has lost all four by 10 points or fewer.
Massachusetts coach Frank Martin said earlier in the week he was hoping for a better start from his team after the Minutemen fell behind early in their previous three losses. UMass trailed by as many as 15 in the first half against Temple. Although the Minutemen closed the gap before halftime, they never took the lead. Jaylen Curry had 17 points but went 4-for-16 from the field. Daniel Hankins-Sanford added 15 points and 10 rebounds.
“I’m not into, âLet’s clap because we played hard to get back into the game,'” Martin said after the loss earlier in the week to Hofstra. “We have to figure out the first six or seven minutes of a game.”
Florida State has been the opposite, ending the first half with a lead in each of its wins. Jamir Watkins is averaging a team-leading 18.3 points and chips in 5.2 rebounds per game.
The Seminoles had a day to rest in between games and will look to mimic the success it had against the Owls on the glass (39-34 advantage) and on the defensive end where they had nine steals and six blocks. FSU will look to limit Watkins and Hankins-Sanford’s effectiveness from the floor.
