Florida State basketball: Fans and media react to Seminoles reaching Sweet 16
Florida State basketball surprised the media and delighted fans by advancing to the Sweet 16 with a victory over Colorado in the NCAA Tournament.
It’s been an impressive four-year stretch for Florida State basketball. It got better on Monday as the Seminoles advanced past Colorado, 71-53, for their third-straight Sweet 16 appearance.
FSU pulled away from the Buffaloes thanks to a big night from Anthony Polite, who led all scorers with 22 points and boosted a stout defensive performance with four steals.
The Seminoles held Colorado to 35.7 percent shooting from the field and just 6-of-25 three-point success.
Twitter gave Florida State basketball all due credit for their performance
Praise flowed in from the media for the accomplishment of FSU head coach Leonard Hamilton.
Florida State is headed to its third straight Sweet 16. Leonard Hamilton is again emerging as the sentimental favorite in the NCAA Tournament. Two wins away from his first Final Four.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) March 23, 2021
Leonard Hamilton made one Sweet 16 in his first 15 years at Florida State. Now he's 3 for his last 3 and that doesn't even count last year when the Noles might have won it all.
— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) March 23, 2021
#FSU lost 3 NBA players and is headed back to the Sweet 16. Let that sink in. Leonard Hamilton has established the #Noles as a legit Hoops power.
— Ariya Massoudi (@AriyaMassoudi) March 23, 2021
FSU football head coach Mike Norvell extended his support to the basketball team.
Congratulations to @FSUHoops and @FSUCoachHam on a great performance tonight and a trip to the #Sweet16 #NoleFamily #KeepCLIMBing #OneTribe
— Mike Norvell (@Coach_Norvell) March 23, 2021
Norvell better watch out because some Noles want Hamilton to take his job.
Announcer “maybe (Hamilton) can moonlight as a football coach” pic.twitter.com/V8XA823iQS
— Noles Anonymous (@NolesAnonymous) March 23, 2021
FSU fans took the opportunity to celebrate in a variety of ways, from GIFs to not-so-subtle digs at rivals.
https://twitter.com/bubblybrielle/status/1374177967589429250?s=20
https://twitter.com/NolesVikesVeaz/status/1374019924671279105?s=20
I’m not going to tweet about how FSU is going another Sweet 16 while Florida lost to a 15 seed. I just won’t do it, that would be poor sportsmanship. I also won’t remind everyone that the Noles have a 7-game win streak against UF. I just hope everyone has fun
— Alec (@alcrllng) March 23, 2021
There were also some things bigger than basketball. FSU fans were sure to extend their thoughts towards the community of Boulder after Monday’s deadly shooting.
Our hearts go out to Boulder, Colorado tonight. Praying for the community and those affected #BiggerThanBasketball #BoulderShooting
— Barstool FSU (@FSU_Barstool) March 23, 2021
The Seminoles now can look ahead to a Mar. 28 matchup with No. 1 seed Michigan. Coming off a strong performance against Colorado, FSU can go into that tough battle with some hope of pulling off the upset. In 2019, they couldn’t get past Gonzaga, but the 2018 team did knock off No. 1 seed Xavier in the second round. The team that knocked the Seminoles out in the Elite Eight? Michigan.
Next. 20 biggest upsets in the history of March Madness. dark
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