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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida A&M heads into Thursday night’s rivalry matchup with a chance to set the tone through pressure defense, balanced scoring and downhill offense when the Rattlers face Bethune-Cookman at 7:30 p.m. in Tallahassee. The game will air on HBCU GO.<\/p>\n
While the two teams may come into the night with different statistical profiles, this is the kind of rivalry game where pace, toughness and composure usually matter more than style points. For Florida A&M, the formula is clear: force mistakes, attack the lane, keep the ball moving through Jaquan Sanders<\/a>, and let a balanced scoring group wear Bethune-Cookman down over 40 minutes.<\/p>\n That starts with Jaquan Sanders<\/a>, who has been the engine of Florida A&M’s offense. Sanders leads the Rattlers in playmaking with 100 assists and 3.7 assists per game, while also averaging 11.5 points per game. In a rivalry setting, his ability to settle possessions, get FAMU into offense and create for others could be one of the most important factors on the floor.<\/p>\n Florida A&M also brings more offensive balance than the raw national rankings may suggest. Tyler Shirley<\/a> leads the team at 11.7 points per game, while Sanders is right behind at 11.5. Antonio Baker and Jordan Chatman<\/a> each add 9.5 points per game, and Kaleb Washington<\/a> contributes 8.2 points per game, giving the Rattlers several options who can hurt an opponent instead of relying on one player to carry the night.<\/p>\n Why this game sets up well for FAMU
Key Florida A&M players to watch<\/p>\n
How Florida A&M can win<\/p>\n
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\n\tBetter ball movement
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\n\t\tFAMU averages 12.9 assists per game
\n\t\tThat is a strong edge over Bethune-Cookman’s listed 9.1
\n\t\tFlorida A&M is more likely to create offense through structure instead of isolation
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\n\tMore perimeter volume
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\n\t\tThe Rattlers average 21.3 three-point attempts per game and 7.0 made threes per game
\n\t\tIf FAMU gets quality looks, that spacing can stretch the floor and open driving lanes
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\n\tPressure defense can change the game
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\n\t\tFAMU averages 7.6 steals per game
\n\t\tThe Rattlers force 13.43 turnovers per game
\n\t\tThose numbers point to a team that can create transition opportunities and momentum swings
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\n\tMultiple scoring options
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\n\tTyler Shirley<\/a>
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\n\t\tTeam-leading 11.7 points per game
\n\t\tAlso contributes on the glass, including 4.11 defensive rebounds per game
\n\t\tHe gives FAMU a dependable scoring presence and a physical rebounder on the wing\/front line
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\n\tJaquan Sanders<\/a>
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\n\t\t11.5 points per game
\n\t\t100 assists
\n\t\t3.7 assists per game
\n\t\t1.59 assist-to-turnover ratio
\n\t\tSanders is the organizer. If he controls tempo and limits mistakes, Florida A&M becomes much tougher to defend
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\n\tJordan Chatman<\/a>
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\n\t\t9.5 points per game
\n\t\tTeam’s top listed three-point producer at 1.93 made threes per game
\n\t\tHe can be the swing piece if Bethune-Cookman collapses on the paint
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\n\tAntonio Baker
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\n\t\t9.5 points per game
\n\t\tAnother steady scorer who helps keep defenses from loading up on Sanders or Shirley
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\n\tKaleb Washington<\/a>
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\n\t\t8.2 points per game
\n\t\tValuable complementary scoring option who adds balance to the rotation
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\n\tMiles Ndalama<\/a>
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\n\t\t1.00 block per game
\n\t\t2.14 offensive rebounds per game
\n\t\tHis rim protection and work on the offensive glass can create second-chance opportunities
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\n\tMicah Octave<\/a>
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\n\t\t46 steals
\n\t\tBrings disruptive defensive energy that fits the kind of game FAMU should want to play
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