For the second time in two years the Florida State Seminoles 21-13 will host the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs 29-7 in the National Invitational Tournament (NIT). Last year, the Bulldogs defeated the Seminoles in the first round of the NIT, in Tallahassee. The winner of this year's quarterfinal match up will travel to Madison Square Garden and play Minnesota in the semifinal round.Last Monday, the Seminoles faced a Georgetown team that had quality wins against Michigan State, VCU, and Creighton. Florida State put on their best shooting display of the season as they scored 101 points to Georgetown's 90. The Seminoles led with Sophomore, Arron Thomas, who shot 68.8% from behind the three point arc, 68% from the field, and cashed in 30 of 38 free throws (78.9%); while playing the majority of the game in a unfamiliar zone defense.
Last Saturday, Louisiana Tech was crushing the Georgia Bulldogs by 19 points at halftime, but had to hold back a furious rally by Georgia just to defeat the Bulldogs 79-71. Louisiana Tech's Senior, Chris Anderson, led the Bulldogs by scoring 18 points, grabbing 8 rebounds, and blocking one shot. After the Bulldogs were selected to the NIT, they made a pact that they would go to Madison Square Garden; only one win is between them and New York City.
Keys for Louisiana Tech: Louisiana Tech will look to take advantage of the inexperience of the FSU inside game with the scoring of senior Chris Anderson who averages 12.2 points per game. The Bulldogs who are 15th in the nation in scoring will have to play against the second if not the best defense they have seen all season- Oklahoma State is the exception. Finally, Louisiana Tech will have to take advantage of the FSU turnovers as the Seminoles average 14 per game.
Keys for Florida State: The Seminoles will have to play shut down defense against the Bulldogs who average just over 80 points per game. FSU will have to create open shots by establishing their inside presence with senior Okaro White. Offensive rebounding has been the Achilles heel for the Seminoles and will have to grab every 50/50 ball if they want a trip to Madison Square Garden.
Much is on the line for both teams: the Seminoles look to reach the final four of the NIT for the second time, while the Bulldogs will search for their first 30 win season in school history.
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Heather Ahles
ESPN for picture
Very prophetic! You were right about Okaro and our defense put them in foul trouble coming down the stretch. Their lack of depth hurt them with nobody on the bench who could provide real support. We need a better performance from our big men around the paint to have a chance in NY and bring back our foul shot guru!!
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