Noles Take on Canes Sunday in Miami

TALLAHASSEE – The Seminoles (18-8, 9-5) and Hurricanes (16-8, 6-7) battle on the hardwood for the second time in two weeks on Sunday at 4 p.m. at the Watsco Center. FSU hopes to duplicate its 75-68 win over Miami from Feb. 4, which was led by Makayla Timpson’s 22 points and 10 rebounds.

The rivalry game with Miami will air on the ACC Network.

A win over Miami on Sunday would mark another season of double digit victories in ACC play. FSU hopes to clinch what would technically be its ninth consecutive year of winning 10 or more games in conference play – a streak that began in the 2014-15 season. The lone exception is the COVID-ravaged 2020-21 season when FSU went 9-7 in conference play, but wasn’t able to play its full allotment of games due to cancellations.

Ta’Niya Latson shares the league lead with Virginia Tech’s Elizabeth Kitley for 30-point games in conference play with five this season.

In ACC games, Florida State leads the conference in scoring at 77.5 points per game. FSU has scored at least 70 points in 13 of 14 ACC games, and has also hit the 70 point mark in 24 of its 26 overall games played this year.

FSU is in sole possession of fifth place in the ACC, right in line with its ACC predicted order of finish in the preseason. In Head Coach Brooke Wyckoff‘s previous two years as head coach, she has led the Noles to finishes above their preseason prediction.

FSU’s 75-68 win over Miami on Feb. 4 was the start of Makayla Timpson’s current four-game double-double streak. In that span, Timpson has averaged 17.8 points and 13.0 rebounds. Another double-double on Sunday would mark a new career-long streak for the junior forward.

The Seminoles enter Sunday’s rivalry game riding a three-game ACC road win streak with victories at Georgia Tech (78-67), Pittsburgh (76-60) and Wake Forest (W, 71-63).

FSU and Miami are right nearby each other in the latest NET, with the Seminoles at No. 41 and the Hurricanes at No. 43.

FSU’s defense held Miami to two points in the last 5 1/2 minutes of their first meeting, getting eight consecutive defensive stops to finish the game.

In her last three games vs. Miami, Timpson is averaging 22.0 points, 9.3 rebounds, 73.7 percent shooting (28-of-38) and 2.3 blocks. 

Sunday will be the 70th meeting between FSU and Miami. The Noles hold a 50-19 advantage but are searching for their first win at the Watsco Center since Jan. 5, 2020.