"Noles Knock Off Tigers in Tallahassee Tussle"

Florida State's victory over Clemson marked a notable upset in the ACC, with the Seminoles (NET #85) outlasting the Tigers (NET #32) by a 5-point margin, 70-65. The game was a closely contested affair, with both teams trading baskets throughout the contest. Florida State's 37-point second half was enough to secure the win, building on their 33-point first half to claim a 70-65 victory.

Florida State's Robert McCray V led the Seminoles to a 70-65 victory over Clemson, scoring a team-high 29 points. He was efficient from the field, converting 10 of his 19 field goal attempts and 4 of his 10 three-point attempts. McCray V also contributed on the glass, grabbing 6 rebounds, and added 3 assists to his stat line. His performance was a key factor in Florida State's win.

Lajae Jones and Chauncey Wiggins also made significant contributions to the Seminoles' victory. Jones provided a spark off the bench, scoring 13 points on 4 of 7 field goal attempts, including 3 of 5 three-pointers. He also blocked 3 shots, a crucial aspect of Florida State's defensive effort. Wiggins chipped in with 7 points, shooting 3 of 6 from the field and 1 of 2 from three-point range. His 2 rebounds and 1 assist rounded out his stat line.

Ace Buckner's 15-point performance was a bright spot for Clemson, but it wasn't enough to propel his team to victory. His efficiency from the field, shooting 5-11, was a mixed bag, as he struggled with his three-point shooting, going 3-8 from beyond the arc. Despite his contributions, Buckner's overall impact was somewhat limited by his team's inability to capitalize on his scoring opportunities.

Dillon Hunter's 13-point outing was similarly impacted by the team's overall performance. While he shot efficiently from the field, going 5-9, his three-point shooting was a liability, as he went 1-4 from beyond the arc. Hunter's defensive presence was noticeable, with a blocked shot, but it wasn't enough to sway the outcome of the game. RJ Godfrey's 12 points, all coming from the free throw line, were a product of his team's struggles to find scoring opportunities in the paint, and his overall stat line was somewhat underwhelming given the circumstances.

The supporting casts for both teams largely adhered to their established season trends, with no notable deviations from their average production.

The pre-game prediction of a Clemson victory by 9 points proved to be a misguided assessment, as the Seminoles ultimately emerged victorious by a margin of 5 points. The model's failure to accurately forecast the outcome can be attributed to a number of factors, including Florida State's superior shooting efficiency and rebounding prowess.

A closer examination of the game statistics reveals that Florida State's dominance on the glass, coupled with their high shooting percentage, were decisive factors in their victory. The Seminoles' 60.9% effective field goal percentage, a significant improvement over their season average, allowed them to maintain a consistent scoring pace throughout the contest. Conversely, Clemson's 46.4% effective field goal percentage, a decline from their season average, hindered their ability to sustain a high-scoring attack. Additionally, Florida State's ability to secure rebounds at a higher rate than Clemson, despite being outmatched in this category for the season, provided them with crucial second-chance opportunities and helped to seal their victory.

The outcome of this game has significant implications for both teams' NCAA Tournament resumes. For Florida State, securing a Quad 1 win in its 14th game, now at 2-9, should bolster its chances of receiving an at-large bid, potentially placing the Seminoles in the 10-11 seed range. However, its overall NET ranking of #85 remains a concern, and it will need to continue to accumulate quality victories to improve its seeding prospects. Meanwhile, Clemson's Quad 1 loss, its fourth in five games, will likely drop its seeding from the 5-6 range, where it had been projected, to more likely in the 7-8 range, with the Tigers' NET ranking of #32 still a positive indicator. A disappointing end to the regular season may have set back Clemson's seeding aspirations.