THIBODAUX, La. – After handling Arkansas-Monticello in a season-opening exhibition, the Nicholls State University basketball team will enter regular-season play on the road against a formidable Florida State squad, at 2 p.m. on Sunday.
 
The matchup in Tallahassee, Fla. will air live on ESPN3 and WatchESPN.
 
The Colonels downed the Weevils, 93-81, on Monday, leading by as many as 23 points in an explosive offensive performance. The 93 points scored by Nicholls was the highest point total for the program in any game since Jan. 17, 2013. The Colonels' offseason discussions centered on an upgraded defense, but it was an improved offense that stole the show against Arkansas-Monticello.
 
Nicholls shot 62.5 percent for the game, while holding the Weevils to 42.9 percent. In similar fashion, the Colonels shot a blistering 55 percent from three-point range, and kept Arkansas-Monticello in check at just 25 percent. Nicholls outrebounded the Weevils 36-23, including a 29-14 advantage on defensive boards, but possibly the most impressive statistic of the night was that the Colonels assisted on 23 of their 30 field goals.
 
Luka Kamber (18 points), T.J. Carpenter (17 points) and Ja'Dante' Frye (15 points) led the way offensively for the Red and Grey. Schane Rillieux dished out a team-high 10 assists and added eight points in his first game back from a season-ending injury in last year. Liam Thomas finished with nine points and eight rebounds, while Quinton Thomas totaled eight points for Nicholls. Adam Ward and Tre O'Neal each contributed seven points in the win.
 
The Seminoles were dominant through their two exhibition games, scoring a combined 231 points, while allowing just 144. Florida State downed Lynn University, 114-68, before taking care of Southeastern University, 117-76. In both contests, seven Noles scored in double figures.
 
Last season Florida State ranked 298^th in the nation in three-point shooting, but has shot a solid 44.1 percent through its first two exhibition matchups. The Seminoles ranked 163^rd nationally in offensive efficiency, with an abysmal 323^rd in turnover percentage, and finished the 2014-15 season with the worst turnover margin in the ACC. Albeit against non-conference opponents, Florida State has shown significant improvement in offensive efficiency and ball-security this year. The Seminoles shot 64.8 percent from the floor and committed only 16 turnovers combined through two ballgames. In comparison, the Colonels ceded 22 turnovers against Arkansas-Monticello.
 
The one glaring weakness for Florida State thus far has been the team's struggles at the free throw line. The Noles shot just 60 percent (21-of-35) at the charity stripe against Lynn, and 57.9 percent (11-19) against Southeastern.
 
Florida State retains its top seven scorers from the 2014-15 season, including its leading scorer, Xavier-Rathan Mayes (14.9 ppg). A prolific offensive talent, Rathan-Mayes had three 30-point games and eight 20-point games last year. Despite his explosive scoring ability, Rathan-Mayes struggled with turnovers (nine games with five or more turnovers) and three-point shooting (28.1 percent).
 
The Seminoles have one of the most experienced teams in the nation, returning 87 percent of their scoring and 89 percent of their rebounding from the previous year. Last season Florida State was predominantly a half-court team, with only 23 percent of its shots coming in transition. With the addition of a top-10 recruiting class that includes a number of blue-chip freshmen, the Noles will look to push for more up-tempo options this season.
 
Florida State owns the all-time series with Nicholls, 2-0. In the most recent matchup between programs, the Seminoles downed the Colonels, 81-58, in Tallahassee on Nov. 9, 2007.
 
Nicholls returns home for a matchup with Mobile on Thursday, Nov. 19 at 6:30 p.m.
 
For the most up-to-date information on Nicholls men's basketball, visit geauxcolonels.com.