The Florida State men’s basketball team has played just two true road games. Both included positive moments for the Seminoles before ending in down-to-the-wire losses.

FSU lost at LSU on Dec. 4 and three days later dropped an overtime game at NC State. The Seminoles have won all of their neutral-site games, but over the next few months they must prove they can steal a few road victories in ACC play.

“I don’t have any illusion of where we are. We’re a team that’s still growing and developing,” FSU coach Leonard Hamilton said. “Normally in January, you’re still hitting on all cylinders. What really helped us was having a few days off where we could get some repetition and teaching. Our defense and our rebounding are much better. Not where we need for it to be. But I thought our defensive effort at times (Saturday) was solid.”

FSU (10-4, 1-2 ACC) now begins a pivotal two-game road trip. First up is a matchup at struggling Miami on Wednesday at 7 p.m. (ACC Network). The Hurricanes are 4-10 with no notable wins and have lost to Clemson, Boston College and Virginia Tech in ACC play. A few days later, FSU will travel to Clemson on Saturday (2 p.m.).

The Seminoles have dominated the series with Miami, taking 13 of the last 14 games in the matchup (dating to January 2018). Of course, mixed in that string of dominance is then-FSU forward Matthew Cleveland drilling a desperation 3-pointer to complete a wild comeback at Miami.

Cleveland is in his second season at Miami, where he is averaging 12.7 points and 4.6 rebounds.

“One of the things that I asked of Matthew was that he become more of a leader,” Miami interim coach Bill Courtney said. “Days when he’s not shooting well, he tended to hang his head and get down. I challenged him to be a great defender first and then everything will fall into place. I think he’s done that. He’s really locked in. He’s helping the young guys and he’s defending his tail off.”

The Hurricanes saw the retirement of coach Jim Larranaga just after Christmas and are playing shorthanded. They continue to be without standout guard Nijel Pack, who was averaging 13.9 points and is out with a foot/ankle injury.

After starting 0-2 in ACC play, FSU now has a chance to get to .500 against one of the league’s worst teams. Hamilton has had to be more patient than normal as he and the coaches work with a new roster that features just four returning players. But after a long break for the holidays, the push is now on.

“That’s what happens when you have 10 new players,” Hamilton said. “You have to change the teaching methods. You really do. Sometimes you have to slow up a little bit and not try to go at the same pace that you normally go at when you have seven or eight veterans returning that are juniors and seniors. It’s a new day for all of us.”

Taylor Bol Bowen has two double-doubles in his last three games, shooting at a high percentage from the floor while also being aggressive as a rebounder and shot-blocker.

On Dec. 17 against Winthrop, Bowen had 13 points (on 6 of 9 shooting) with a season-best 13 rebounds. Against Syracuse on Saturday, Bowen added 14 points (on 6 of 10 shooting) and had 10 rebounds.

“I'm improving every game and trying to get better,” Bowen said. “I just think it's a mindset really. Coach Ham really emphasized having my mind right, just playing aggressive and being aggressive.”

Bowen has made a considerable jump in year 2 at FSU, starting 13 of 14 games (he did not play vs. Tulane due to illness). He's averaging 8.2 points and 5.7 rebounds while leading the team with 20 blocks. That's up from 3.1 points and 2.6 rebounds (in fewer minutes, of course) as a freshman.

After some early struggles, Jamir Watkins has made 100 of 135 (74.1 percent) free-throw attempts. The Seminoles made 23 of 31(74.1 percent) free throw attempts in the win over Syracuse and are shooting 71.1 percent from the line this season.

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