On March 1, 2025, the Duke Blue Devils delivered a dominant performance, defeating the Florida State Seminoles with a final score of 100–65 at Cameron Indoor Stadium.
With this win, Duke improved their overall record to 26–3 and an impressive 17–1 in ACC play. Florida State, meanwhile, dropped to 16–13 overall and 7–11 in the conference.
Duke took control of the game early, heading into halftime with a 47–30 lead and continuing to widen the gap in the second half.
Freshman Isaiah Evans led the scoring with 19 points, while four Blue Devils players reached double figures in a balanced offensive attack.
Despite a brief injury scare for star freshman Cooper Flagg—who left the court after taking a hit to the face but returned in the second half—Duke didn’t lose their rhythm.
On the Florida State side, Jamir Watkins stood out with 21 points, marking his third straight 20-point performance.
However, the Seminoles struggled on defense and couldn’t keep up with Duke’s pace, turning the ball over frequently and losing the rebounding battle.
This victory marked Duke’s fourth straight win over Florida State and solidified their dominance heading into the postseason.
Top Performers from Florida State
Despite the tough loss to Duke, a few Florida State players managed to stand out with solid individual performances.
The clear leader for the Seminoles was Jamir Watkins, who scored 21 points, continuing his strong offensive streak with his third consecutive 20-point game.
He was aggressive driving to the basket and provided much-needed scoring during stretches when the Seminoles struggled to find offensive rhythm.
Baba Miller also showed flashes of potential, contributing with hustle plays, rebounds, and a couple of key defensive stops. His presence in the paint, although not enough to turn the tide, added some resistance against Duke’s high-powered offense.
Darin Green Jr., one of the team’s sharpshooters, had moments of effectiveness from beyond the arc, but Duke’s tight perimeter defense limited his impact. His ability to space the floor still played a role in Florida State’s offensive sets.
While the team overall struggled against Duke’s overwhelming pace and execution, these individual efforts were bright spots for the Seminoles.
Watkins’ performance in particular remains a positive sign for Florida State as they look to finish the season strong and prepare for future matchups with a more balanced team effort.
Top Performers from Duke
The Duke Blue Devils showcased a dominant all-around performance against Florida State, with several standout players leading the charge. Isaiah Evans, the freshman sensation, had a career night, scoring 19 points and energizing the team with his aggressive drives and confident shooting.
His ability to find scoring opportunities both inside and outside made him the standout performer of the game.
Tyrese Proctor played a crucial role as well, contributing efficiently with 17 points and orchestrating the offense with sharp passing and solid decision-making. His court vision and control helped keep Duke’s pace steady and relentless.
Mark Mitchell added 15 points, attacking the rim with power and drawing fouls that kept the pressure on Florida State’s defense. His physical presence and hustle on both ends of the floor gave Duke a key advantage.
Cooper Flagg, despite a brief injury scare after a facial hit, returned to the game and delivered a solid performance. His energy, rebounding, and shot-blocking presence added defensive grit and momentum for Duke.
With multiple players stepping up and contributing across the board, Duke’s top performers made it clear why the team is among the top-ranked in the nation and a serious contender as postseason play approaches.
Scoring Leaders
In Duke’s commanding win over Florida State, several players stepped up offensively and led the scoring for both teams.
For Duke, the scoring was well-distributed but highlighted by:
- Isaiah Evans – 19 points
- Tyrese Proctor – 17 points
- Mark Mitchell – 15 points
- Jared McCain – 12 points
Their balanced attack and efficient shooting created constant problems for Florida State’s defense, with Duke finishing the game shooting over 50% from the field.
On the Florida State side:
- Jamir Watkins was the standout scorer with 21 points, continuing his hot streak.
- Darin Green Jr. added 11 points, primarily from beyond the arc.
- Baba Miller contributed with 9 points and several gritty plays inside.
While Florida State struggled overall, Watkins’ individual performance was one of the few bright spots in an otherwise lopsided game.
Meanwhile, Duke’s ability to have multiple double-digit scorers was a clear sign of their depth and offensive efficiency.
Rebounding Stats
Rebounding played a significant role in Duke’s dominant victory over Florida State, as the Blue Devils controlled the boards on both ends of the court.
Their physical presence inside helped limit Florida State’s second-chance opportunities while generating plenty of their own.
Duke’s top rebounders included:
- Kyle Filipowski – 9 rebounds
- Cooper Flagg – 8 rebounds
- Mark Mitchell – 7 rebounds
Duke’s ability to crash the glass, particularly on the defensive end, allowed them to quickly transition into offense and maintain their fast tempo. Flagg’s return after his brief injury also helped solidify Duke’s interior presence.
For Florida State:
- Baba Miller – 8 rebounds
- Jamir Watkins – 6 rebounds
- Cameron Corhen – 5 rebounds
Although Miller and Watkins fought hard on the boards, Florida State was ultimately outmatched in the paint.
Duke’s superior rebounding numbers gave them a clear edge in controlling the pace and momentum throughout the game. The rebounding disparity was a key factor in the Seminoles’ struggle to stay competitive.
Assist Leaders and Playmakers
In a fast-paced matchup, the ability to move the ball and create open looks was crucial—and Duke executed this aspect of the game with precision.
Top playmakers for Duke included:
- Tyrese Proctor – 6 assists
- Jared McCain – 5 assists
- Jeremy Roach – 4 assists
Proctor set the tone early with crisp passes and smart decision-making, consistently finding open shooters and cutters. McCain’s court awareness and quick ball movement also helped keep Florida State’s defense off balance.
Florida State’s assist leaders were:
- Jamir Watkins – 4 assists
- Caleb Mills – 3 assists
- Darin Green Jr. – 2 assists
While Watkins did his best to initiate offense, Florida State struggled to generate consistent ball movement compared to Duke’s fluid offensive sets. The Seminoles’ lower assist total reflected their difficulty in breaking through Duke’s defense and creating quality scoring opportunities.
Defensive Highlights
Defense was a major difference-maker in Duke’s strong performance against Florida State, with the Blue Devils locking down passing lanes, protecting the rim, and applying relentless pressure.
For Duke:
- Cooper Flagg stood out with 3 blocks and 2 steals, showcasing his athleticism and defensive instincts even after briefly leaving the game due to a facial injury.
- Mark Mitchell added 2 blocks and played tough, physical defense inside.
- Tyrese Proctor contributed 2 steals, constantly disrupting the Seminoles’ backcourt rhythm.
Duke’s team defense was tight, with excellent help rotations and closeouts that limited Florida State to low shooting percentages, especially in the second half.
For Florida State:
- Jamir Watkins led with 2 steals, trying to spark momentum with his energy on defense.
- Baba Miller had 1 block and some solid rim protection efforts, though they weren’t enough to slow Duke’s attack.
While Florida State had a few defensive highlights, Duke’s cohesive effort on that end of the court gave them a clear edge. Their ability to turn defensive stops into transition points helped build a lead that Florida State couldn’t overcome.
Shooting Efficiency
Shooting efficiency played a critical role in determining the outcome of this game, with Duke showcasing superior accuracy from the field compared to Florida State.
Duke’s shooting efficiency:
- Field Goal Percentage: 52.3% (33-63)
- Three-Point Percentage: 39.1% (9-23)
- Free Throw Percentage: 75% (12-16)
Duke’s offensive efficiency was marked by excellent ball movement and high-percentage shots. Their ability to hit key three-pointers, along with their efficient inside scoring, helped them maintain control throughout the game. The Blue Devils were particularly effective in the second half, shooting over 55% from the field, which allowed them to pull away from Florida State.
Florida State’s shooting efficiency:
- Field Goal Percentage: 41.2% (21-51)
- Three-Point Percentage: 30.8% (4-13)
- Free Throw Percentage: 66.7% (10-15)
Florida State struggled with shooting efficiency, particularly from long range, where they made just 4 out of 13 attempts. Their field goal percentage was also below Duke’s standard, and their inability to hit free throws at a higher clip further hurt their chances of staying in the game.
Overall, Duke’s sharp shooting, coupled with Florida State’s shooting woes, made the difference in what was a clear win for the Blue Devils.
What the Stats Say About the Game
The statistical breakdown of the game between Florida State Seminoles and the Duke Blue Devils clearly highlights the dominance of Duke in several key areas that contributed to their convincing victory.
Field Goal Percentage:
Duke: 52.3% (33-63)
Florida State: 41.2% (21-51)
Duke’s superior shooting percentage was a major factor. They were far more efficient in converting their opportunities, particularly in the second half, where they shot over 55% from the field.
Three-Point Shooting:
Duke: 39.1% (9-23)
Florida State: 30.8% (4-13)
Duke’s perimeter shooting outshined Florida State’s, as the Blue Devils connected on nearly four times as many three-pointers. This shooting edge stretched the defense and helped open up other areas of the court for Duke.
Rebounding:
Duke: 38 rebounds
Florida State: 32 rebounds
Duke’s ability to dominate the boards with players like Kyle Filipowski and Cooper Flagg helped them control the game’s tempo, limiting Florida State’s second-chance opportunities and generating more possessions for themselves.
Assists:
Duke: 18 assists
Florida State: 10 assists
The Blue Devils demonstrated excellent ball movement, recording 18 assists compared to Florida State’s 10. This reflected Duke’s unselfish offensive play and their ability to create open shots, while Florida State struggled with ball distribution.
Turnovers:
Duke: 9 turnovers
Florida State: 14 turnovers
Duke’s low turnover count helped maintain offensive fluidity, while Florida State’s high turnover rate stalled their offense and allowed Duke to capitalize on fast-break opportunities.
Free Throws:
Duke: 75% (12-16)
Florida State: 66.7% (10-15)
Duke also had a better free throw percentage, further extending their lead, especially in key moments late in the game.
Conclusion
In this matchup between the Florida State Seminoles and the Duke Blue Devils, the stats tell a clear story of Duke’s dominance across multiple facets of the game.
From their superior shooting efficiency to their control on the boards, Duke exhibited a well-rounded performance that Florida State could not match.
The Blue Devils’ ability to consistently make high-percentage shots, combined with their impressive ball movement and defensive intensity, led to a commanding win.
While Florida State showed some fight with individual performances and a few bright spots, particularly in the rebounding and defense departments, their struggles with shooting efficiency and turnovers ultimately hindered their chances. Duke capitalized on these mistakes, running away with the game in the second half.
Duke’s win was a testament to their depth, skill, and overall execution, setting the tone for their success moving forward.
For Florida State, there will be lessons to learn from this game, especially in terms of shooting consistency and ball control.
