The Daily Nole

What to Watch For Wednesday: FSU Women’s Hoops Prepares for Top-15 Match-up, Men Host National Champs

FSU athletics

Florida State’s track and field and men’s tennis programs kicked off their seasons over the weekend and just days separate us from the start of another season. Also taking place over the weekend was FSU swimming and diving’s first meet in more than a month.

While seasons are beginning anew, the most notable events this coming week for FSU will be on the hardwood. Both the FSU men and women will have marquee match-ups this week.

Without further ado, here’s what to watch for over the next week:

1. FSU women’s hoops visits No. 9 NC State
After dropping two of three, Florida State women’s basketball got back in the win column on Sunday with a strong home showing against a good North Carolina team that had just handed NC State its first loss of the season. The No. 13 Seminoles will now travel to Raleigh to face ninth-ranked NC State on Thursday night. The Seminoles are 15-2 and led by senior forward Kiah Gillespie, who averages more than 15 points and nearly nine rebounds. Guard Nausia Woolfolk is the team’s top scorer at nearly 16 points per game while Nicki Ekhomu averages better than 14 points per game and nearly five assists.

For 15-1 NC State, Elissa Cunane averages better than 17 points per game and nearly 11 rebounds. The strength for the Wolfpack however, is the defense, as they allow less than 55 points per contest. That’s good for 19th nationally. FSU upset then No. 9 NC State last season in Tallahassee, 75-70, but the Wolfpack returned the favor in the ACC Tournament quarterfinals, 69-62. Thursday’s contest begins at 6 p.m. EST and airs on ACC Network.

2. FSU hoops hosts Virginia, visits Miami
No. 9 Florida State will play a home game and a road game this week, but won’t have to leave the state. The Seminoles will kick off the week at home on Wednesday night against reigning national champion Virginia. The Cavaliers fell from the rankings with consecutive losses to Boston College and Syracuse, but are 11-4 on the season and 3-2 in ACC play. Mamadi Diakite averages nearly 13 points per game to lead a Virginia team that allows less than 49 points per game — the fewest in the country. FSU lost big to Virginia last season in Charlottesville, but got revenge in the ACC Tournament semifinals. It served as Virginia’s last loss before running the table in the NCAA Tournament.

On Saturday, FSU will head south to take on rival Miami for the first of two match-ups this season. The Hurricanes are 10-5 and 2-3 in conference this season. Oklahoma transfer Kameron McGusty and 5-foot-7 guard Chris Lykes both average better than 15 points per game for Miami. Guards Devin Vassell and Trent Forrest each average better than 12 points per game for FSU. The Seminoles took both meetings from Miami last season. The teams meet at 1 p.m. EST on Saturday in a contest that airs on ACC Network.

3. FSU women’s tennis kicks off season in Hawaii
Florida State women’s tennis will kick off the 2020 season in Hawaii and that starts on Friday with a top-20 match-up. The No. 16 Seminoles take on 14th-ranked Washington on Friday. FSU was upset by UCF in the second round of the NCAA Tournament last season while Washington reached the Sweet 16 before falling to Pac-12 foe, UCLA. On Saturday, FSU will take on host Hawaii. Seniors Nandini Das, Andrea Garcia and juniors Petra Hule and Emmanuelle Salas all return for FSU.

4. FSU men’s tennis hosts South Alabama, Mississippi State
After a 3-0 start, Florida State men’s tennis will have its toughest test of the young season. After taking on South Alabama on Friday, the Seminoles will play host to No. 21 Mississippi State on Sunday. The Bulldogs reached the Sweet 16 last season before falling to TCU and finishing No. 9 in the final ITA rankings. In two of FSU’s’ first three victories, it didn’t lose a single set. Neither Marcus Walters nor Richard Thongoana have lost a singles or a doubles dual yet this season for the Seminoles.

5. FSU track and field heads to Nashville
After opening the indoor season at Clemson, Florida State track and field will now head to the Music City for the Vanderbilt Invitational on Friday. For the No. 1 FSU men, sprinters Taylor Banks (60 meters), Kasaun James (300 meters), hurdler Trey Cunningham (60-meter hurdles) and long jumper Isaac Grimes all claimed victory at the Orange and Purple Elite. On the women’s side, sprinter Jayla Kirkland claimed a season-opening victory with a record-setting performance in the 60 meters.

Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson. Like The Daily Nole on Facebook. To pitch an idea, author a post or to learn more about The Daily Nole, email Mike Ferguson at Mike@TheDailyNole.com.

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