Georgia Runs Past Florida State in ACC/SEC Challenge Blowout: Three Key Takeaways
Florida State came into Tuesday night’s ACC/SEC Challenge matchup against Georgia looking to avoid an 0-3 record against SEC opponents this season. But from the opening tip, it was clear they were in for another long night. The Seminoles struggled to find any rhythm offensively, and Georgia wasted no time capitalizing.
Less than nine minutes into the game, Florida State was already looking at a double-digit deficit. A brief 8-0 run offered a glimmer of hope, but that was quickly extinguished by a rushed shot from Cam Miles, and the Bulldogs responded with another surge.
By halftime, the game was slipping away fast - Florida State trailed by 20, and the numbers told the story: 4-of-18 from three, 4-of-10 from the free-throw line, and just 4-of-12 on layups. That’s a tough stat line to overcome against any opponent, let alone a team with Georgia’s speed and athleticism.
The final score - 107-73 - reflects just how wide the gap was on the night. And with Houston up next on the schedule, things aren’t getting any easier. Here are three key takeaways from a rough night in Tallahassee:
1. The Offense Just Isn’t Clicking - And It’s Hurting Both Ends of the Floor
Florida State’s shooting woes weren’t just a cold stretch - they’ve become a trend. The Seminoles finished the night 8-of-30 from deep, 9-of-18 at the line, and 10-of-24 on layups. Those are numbers that make it nearly impossible to stay competitive, especially against a team that thrives in transition like Georgia.
And here’s the thing: when the offense can’t generate quality looks or convert the ones it gets, it impacts the defense, too. Missed shots mean fewer chances to get set on defense, and against a team like Georgia that wants to play fast, that’s a recipe for disaster. The Bulldogs were consistently able to push the tempo, and Florida State simply couldn’t keep up.
2. This Team Has One Gear - and It's Not Built for Every Matchup
Florida State’s approach is clear: shoot a high volume of threes, press defensively, and try to speed up the game. That can work against slower, more methodical teams. But when you go up against a team like Georgia - one that already wants to play fast and has the athletes to do it - that strategy can backfire quickly.
This isn’t a team that can win grinding it out in the half court. They don’t have the size, the depth, or the experience to do that right now.
The current roster has just one player who logged significant minutes at a high-major program last year. The frontcourt rotation is thin, and the overall athleticism just isn’t where it needs to be to compete with elite-level teams.
So yes, they’re taking a lot of threes. Yes, they’re gambling on defense.
But that’s not by accident - it’s by necessity. This roster isn’t built to win straight up.
They need to create chaos to have a chance. The problem is, when that chaos doesn’t work, nights like Tuesday happen.
3. Shooting Struggles Are Becoming a Real Concern
There’s a belief within the program that this team can shoot. But at some point, the numbers need to back that up.
Over the last two games, the Seminoles have been ice cold from deep and inconsistent at the line. And when the layups aren’t falling either, it raises real questions about whether this is just a slump - or something deeper.
It’s possible the pace they’re playing at is taking a toll. Coach Loucks emphasized conditioning for a reason, but tired legs could be part of the shooting issues.
Still, that doesn’t excuse the missed opportunities at the rim or the freebies at the line. If Florida State is going to stick with this up-tempo identity, they’ve got to find a way to be more efficient - because the margin for error is razor thin.
Final Thoughts
This is a team in transition. The rebuild is in its early stages, and nights like this are part of the process.
There’s young talent on the roster - AJ Swinton and Alier Maluk are still figuring things out, and there are growing pains that come with that. Shah Muhammad has earned more minutes due to his athleticism, but the team needs more of that across the board.
The goal this season isn’t about immediate results. It’s about progress.
This is a group that was projected to finish at the bottom of the ACC, and while they’re not the worst team in the power conferences, they’ve got a long way to go. The hope is that by Game 30, they look a lot sharper than they did in Game 8.
For now, the focus has to be on getting better - especially on the offensive end. Because if the shots start falling, everything else gets easier.