Florida State dealt third straight loss as USF win easily, 88-72

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    Florida State University men’s basketball team (4-4) suffered a blowout 88-72 loss to South Florida (3-4) on Saturday.

    It’s been three weeks since FSU’s basketball team celebrated a victory, but head coach Leonard Hamilton pointed to the Orange Blossom Classic as an opportunity for a fresh start. The Noles traveled to Sunrise, Florida to face a USF club that before the weekend, had only won two games. But the Bulls used that as motivation, as they tumbled the Noles.

    South Florida guard Brandon Stroud, left, and Florida State forward Jamir Watkins, right, go for the ball during the second half of the NCAA college Orange Bowl Classic basketball game, Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

    Florida State trailed the entire game, making just 18 of its 35 free throws. The Noles’ leading scorer Jamir Watkinsscored 15 points, but, Coach Hamilton confirmed the team’s 6-7 forward Cam’Ron Fletcher will be out for the remainder of the season due to a knee injury. Fletcher averaged 6 points and five rebounds and was a key part of why the team got off to a 4-1 start earlier in the season.

    The team will get another opportunity to shake off the early jitters Saturday as the Noles face future conference opponent, Southern Methodist University. Tip off is set for 8pm.