Florida State, led by an exceptional performance from Robert McCray V, secured a hard-fought 95-89 victory against Cal in the second round of the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament. McCray's impressive 30 points and eight assists were instrumental in guiding the eighth-seeded Seminoles past the ninth-seeded Golden Bears. This win further highlights Florida State's strong form, with the team now boasting ten victories in their last twelve games under the guidance of first-year coach Luke Loucks. The Seminoles' sharpshooting and strategic defensive adjustments proved to be key factors in their advancement to the quarterfinals, where they are set to challenge top-seeded Duke.
The critical matchup unfolded in Charlotte, N.C., with Florida State demonstrating their offensive prowess and defensive resilience. Despite an early deficit, the Seminoles quickly found their rhythm, outpacing Cal for the remainder of the game. Their offensive efficiency was notable, with a remarkable 57.4% overall shooting accuracy and a strong 46.4% from beyond the arc. Robert McCray V was particularly impactful, successfully converting 10 of his 17 attempts from the field and orchestrating an offense that recorded 10 assists without a single turnover in the first half alone.
Joining McCray in the scoring effort were Lajae Jones with 15 points and Chauncey Wiggins contributing 14 points, further bolstering Florida State's offensive firepower. Kobe MaGee also made a significant impact off the bench, scoring all 13 of his points in the initial half, which helped solidify the Seminoles' lead. On the other side, Dai Dai Ames led Cal with 27 points, but his efforts, alongside those of Chris Bell (17 points), Justin Pippen (15 points), John Camden (11 points), and Lee Dort (7 points and 18 rebounds), were not enough to overcome Florida State's momentum.
Cal initially took a 9-2 lead, fueled by a three-pointer from Camden. However, McCray quickly responded with his own three-pointer, igniting a dominant 21-2 surge for Florida State. This powerful run, which included additional three-pointers from MaGee and crucial baskets from McCray and Alex Steen, transformed a six-point deficit into a commanding 13-point advantage for the Seminoles. Cal struggled to counter Florida State's varied defense, making only one of 11 shots from the field during a crucial ten-minute period. By halftime, Florida State had established a comfortable 46-32 lead.
In the second half, McCray continued his stellar play, emphatically underscoring Florida State's control with a steal and a breakaway tomahawk dunk midway through the period. This play solidified the Seminoles' dominance, and from that point onward, Cal was unable to mount a serious comeback, only managing to narrow the deficit to single digits in the final minute of play. The victory propels Florida State forward in the tournament, while Cal faces the unfortunate reality that their NCAA Tournament aspirations have likely been dashed, having been previously listed among the "next four out" in bracket predictions.
Florida State's impressive win over Cal underscores their dynamic offensive capabilities and solid defensive strategies. The team's cohesive play and individual brilliance, particularly from Robert McCray V, were pivotal in securing their place in the next round of the tournament. Their consistent performance and recent winning streak demonstrate a strong upward trajectory for the Seminoles under coach Luke Loucks, setting the stage for an exciting quarterfinal showdown against Duke.