The Daily Nole

Preview: FSU Opens Up AdvoCare Invitational With UAB

Mike Olivella/FSU athletics

Florida State basketball is off to another good start, garnering a 3-0 record that includes a blowout win over rival Florida. The next two games were fairly convincing wins over Tulane and Canisius. Despite missing forward Phil Cofer, the Seminoles have done more than enough to justify their spot in the top 25.

Meanwhile, UAB is attempting to crack the top 25 and be a true threat in Conference USA. The Blazers too have started 3-0 and played like a team deserving of more recognition. Thursday night will give them their first shot at making waves nationally. If they can pull off the upset, all eyes will be on Birmingham this season.

The Match-Up

Who: No. 14 Florida State Seminoles (3-0) vs. UAB Blazers (3-0)
What: AdvoCare Invitational
When: Thursday, Nov. 22 at 9 p.m. EST (ESPNU)
Where: HP Field House in Orlando, Florida

Key Players

For UAB
Zack Bryant, G (So.): 15.0 PPG, 3.7 APG, 1.7 SPG
Jalen Perry, G (Sr.): 12.0 PPG, 2.3 RPG, 1.3 SPG
Lewis Sullivan, F (Sr.): 10.7 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 2.3 APG

For Florida State
Terance Mann, G (Sr.): 14.0 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 2.3 APG
P.J. Savoy, G (Sr.): 12.0 PPG, 1.7 RPG, .533 3P%
Mfiondu Kabengele, F (So.): 11.7 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 0.7 SPG

What to Watch For

Limiting Mistakes: The Blazers have powered their way to a 3-0 start on the backs of their defense. They have forced 24 steals and seven blocks in just three contests, about on par with Florida State (26 steals, nine blocks). Zack Bryant and Jalen Perry average more than one steal per game for the Blazers, and Bryant also grabs one block per game. They will provide a fairly tough backcourt test for the Seminoles. Florida State will need to limit careless turnovers and mistakes, or else UAB might give it a surprise.

Stretching the Floor: Florida State’s last two games against Tulane and Canisius have shown how much a difference Phil Cofer makes on both ends of the court. Offensively, he can stretch the floor and take the heat off the guards to carry the scoring load. Defensively, he was never a game changer, but he provided an athletic post body if nothing else. Florida State has found itself in stretches of confusion because of Cofer’s absence. That will be tested with the UAB defense.

Number to Pay Attention To

5: That is the number of UAB players who are currently averaging at least one steal per game. The Blazer have their obvious standouts, but the team as a whole is a solid group of defenders.

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