SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Florida State won its sixth game in its last seven contests at Syracuse 85-69 on Tuesday night in the JMA Wireless Dome, giving the Orange their first lost at home all season.

The Seminoles (13-7, 6-2 ACC) have vastly improved since conference play began and are competing with a level of confidence not seen around the program in a couple seasons. I had an up-close look of the Noles as a part of the radio broadcast with Jeff Culhane on the Seminoles Sports Network from Learfield. Here are some observations that stood out from FSU’s sixth ACC win of the year and third straight road win.

Coach Leonard Hamilton has built his program on a deep bench that can help wear an opponent down from the accumulation of 40 minutes of high-intensity basketball. Over the last couple years, due to injuries, suspensions and Primo Spears’ waiver appeal, the Seminoles haven’t been able to truly tap into the quality of depth that has allowed them to compete at an elite level in the college basketball landscape. With the additions of Spears and Jaylan Gainey to the rotations, it’s allowed Coach Ham to substitute liberally, to keep players fresh. The intensity FSU plays with on defense and picking up 94 feet in the full court takes a toll on teams and requires 10-12 players to be effective.

FSU played 12 men against the Orange and it clearly wore Syracuse down with nine Seminoles scoring and forcing 16 turnovers with the relentless ball pressure. The difference is visible and the system is once again working in FSU’s favor. Hamilton commented on the postgame show that he feels like the depth is allowing the Seminoles to be successful for longer stretches and multiple rotations gave quality minutes on the evening. Cuse head coach Adrian Autry mentioned he thought his team was tired by the final eight minutes of the game. FSU trailed Cuse 59-58 with just under nine minutes to play and finished the game outscoring the Orange 27-10. Job well done.

Watkins’ 27 points and 11 rebounds is a heck of a performance and his career high couldn’t have come at a better time for the VCU transfer. The junior got downhill time and time again, with a determination that was unmatched. Aggressive drives were rewarded with trips to the free-throw line, where Watkins went 9 for 12. He also hit a pair of threes and recorded three steals. Watkins was special in transition, in the mid-range and around the rim.

He’s got NBA potential with the length, athleticism and versatility the scouts covet. There is some Terance Mann to his arsenal where he impacts a variety of phases of the game. If he can play consistently at this level on both sides of the ball, it will give the Seminoles a real chance to make a run to a postseason berth.

Winning six of the last seven and a 6-2 start to ACC play has positioned FSU to be in the conversation for a bubble spot on Selection Sunday. However, that type of resume requires wins against a team like North Carolina on Saturday (2 p.m. on ESPN). It would be the most “signature win” type of victories, as UNC is ranked No. 3 and is playing like the best team in the ACC at the moment. The Seminoles dug a deep hole with some brutal non-conference losses, especially at home. They’ve done a ton of work to climb their way back into the conversation, a win against the Heels will have them firmly in it. FSU played well in Chapel Hill on Dec. 2 but ultimately could not hang on against UNC, losing 78-70 in a game the Seminoles led by double digits early in the second half.

RJ Davis is a front-runner for ACC Player of the Year and Armando Bacot is an experienced handful down low. The Heels are elite on both offense and defense and are rolling right now. The Tuck could be a raucous environment with a national TV audience tuning in as well. Some of the great moments in that arena include wins over UNC and Saturday is shaping up to give FSU the opportunity to add to that story.

Follow The Osceola on Facebook

Follow The Osceola on Twitter

Subscribe to the Osceola's YouTube channel

Subscribe to the Osceola's podcasts on Apple