Florida State’s season has come to an end in the Sweet 16, but Seminoles fans should feel awfully proud of Leonard Hamilton’s team.
You can never count out the Florida State Seminoles, who almost made a valiant comeback vs. Gonzaga, before bowing out in the Sweet 16.
That lesson reared its head again in their Sweet 16 matchup with the top-seeded, run-and-gun Gonzaga Bulldogs. Gonzaga had multiple chances to completely crush the spirits of Leonard Hamilton’s scrappy bunch, but they just could never shake off the tenacious Seminoles.
In the second half, the Seminoles defense — which was one of the best in the ACC this season — managed to do something that no team, not in the WCC or in non-conference — was able to do, slow down the Bulldog’s fast pace offense.
It always seemed as though the Seminoles were creating a path to the Elite 8, scrapping and clawing their way out of their hole. However, at the same time they chilled Gonzaga’s offense, their scoring was unable to shake off the ice block tied to its feet.
In the end, the Bulldogs got some timely baskets, and just like that, the Seminoles were on the next plane back to Tallahassee.
Now, I must admit: I didn’t think the Seminoles would be able to stay with a team like Gonzaga. I thought it would be close, for sure, but the Bulldogs had too many weapons that Florida State needed to disarm, and it was a tall order from the beginning to ask that of them to achieve.
However, I was reminded of the lesson I learned those years back. To never doubt the Seminoles. They’ve been a scrappy team all season long, but their lack of an offensive punch was what ultimately led to their doom in the Sweet 16.
Will this change next season?
Perhaps.
If the Florida State Seminoles have dreams of a Final Four appearance next year, it would behoove them to find an offensive punch to stay with the Gonzagas and Dukes of college basketball.