Florida State Drops North Carolina In Tallahassee
Florida State wasn't able to hold on their last time out on the road against Duke Saturday in Durham. Wednesday though when they returned to action at the Donald L Tucker Civic Center was a different story as they welcomed North Carolina.
It ended up being a day and evening for Florida State coach Leonard Hamilton and his team to gut things out. "according to http://www.goheels.com/news/2018/1/3/mens-basketball-basketball-at-florida-state.aspx
Hamilton had surgery to remove kidney stones Wednesday morning. Less than 12 hours later he was on the sidelines as his 24th-ranked Seminoles held on for an 81-80 victory over No. 12 North Carolina. "according to http://www.goheels.com/news/2018/1/3/mens-basketball-basketball-at-florida-state.aspx
"I feel mission accomplished. That was the most important thing," Hamilton said. "The last 36 hours have been tough for me. I've had tougher things to overcome, maybe not as painful. This makes the pain worth it." "according to http://www.goheels.com/news/2018/1/3/mens-basketball-basketball-at-florida-state.aspx
Florida State (12-2, 1-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) led most of the game, including the final 8:12. But the Seminoles nearly squandered it as they didn't make a field goal in the last 2:57 and missed their last four free throws. "according to http://www.goheels.com/news/2018/1/3/mens-basketball-basketball-at-florida-state.aspx
The Tar Heels (12-3, 1-1) got within 81-80 with 30 seconds left when Joel Berry II made a 3-pointer after Theo Pinson picked off an errant pass by CJ Walker. After Phil Cofer missed both free throws, North Carolina had a chance to win. Berry drove the lane and missed a jumper which was rebounded by Terance Mann. "according to http://www.goheels.com/news/2018/1/3/mens-basketball-basketball-at-florida-state.aspx
Mann missed his free throws with 1.7 seconds remaining, but North Carolina couldn't get a shot off, allowing Florida State to snap a seven-game losing streak to the Tar Heels. "according to http://www.goheels.com/news/2018/1/3/mens-basketball-basketball-at-florida-state.aspx
"We just like playing with each other so much. I feel like we're able to call each other out on plays, we can get on each other and not let it affect us," said CJ Walker, who scored 18 points. "I feel like that's a big thing for our team. They made a run, but our team called each other out, said what we had to do and we executed it." "according to http://www.goheels.com/news/2018/1/3/mens-basketball-basketball-at-florida-state.aspx
"They attacked so much more effectively. I liked our kids making a comeback," North Carolina coach Roy Williams said. "We got ourselves in position. For us we need to play better and smarter." "according to http://www.goheels.com/news/2018/1/3/mens-basketball-basketball-at-florida-state.aspx
Braian Angola led Florida State with 20 points and Mann added 17. The Seminoles extended their home winning streak to 28, which is currently the third-longest in Division I. "according to http://www.goheels.com/news/2018/1/3/mens-basketball-basketball-at-florida-state.aspx
Berry led the Tar Heels with 28 points, including 20 in the second half after they trailed 51-40 at halftime. Kenny Williams added 18. "according to http://www.goheels.com/news/2018/1/3/mens-basketball-basketball-at-florida-state.aspx
"He was our offense for a long time in the second half," Williams said about Berry. "We have to get some other guys to step up. We need to get more balance and to help him out on defense since he is doing a lot on both ends." "according to http://www.goheels.com/news/2018/1/3/mens-basketball-basketball-at-florida-state.aspx
BIG PICTURE
North Carolina: The defending national champions have been tested in their last five games, which includes two losses. It won't get any easier for the Tar Heels, whose next four games are against teams ranked in the top 75 of the RPI. "according to http://www.goheels.com/news/2018/1/3/mens-basketball-basketball-at-florida-state.aspx
"We need to play better and smarter. We need to do a better job of not allowing teams to attack the basket," Williams said. "according to http://www.goheels.com/news/2018/1/3/mens-basketball-basketball-at-florida-state.aspx
Florida State: The Seminoles led 92-89 last Saturday at Duke but missed their final eight shots as the Blue Devils rallied for a 100-93 win. They learned their lesson from that game by getting a couple of key rebounds in the final minute when it counted."according to http://www.goheels.com/news/2018/1/3/mens-basketball-basketball-at-florida-state.aspx
"In the huddle, in the last 4 minutes, we just say, 'For us to win the game, we need to rebound. And everybody has to go in there.' When you want to do it, you just do it," Angola said. "according to http://www.goheels.com/news/2018/1/3/mens-basketball-basketball-at-florida-state.aspx
POLL IMPLICATIONS
Florida State has been locked in at 24 the past two weeks, but could move up after this win and with a good effort at Miami. The Tar Heels might need a win against Virginia on Saturday to prevent a big drop. "according to http://www.goheels.com/news/2018/1/3/mens-basketball-basketball-at-florida-state.aspx
LETDOWN
Luke Maye came in averaging 12.3 rebounds in his last seven games, including 39 in the past three, but he was held to six boards against Florida State, which was tied for a season low. "according to http://www.goheels.com/news/2018/1/3/mens-basketball-basketball-at-florida-state.aspx
3-POINT BARRAGE
The Seminoles have three straight games where they have made double-digit 3-pointers. They made 11 against North Carolina, including nine in the first half. They came into the game second in the ACC in 3-pointers made with 123. "according to http://www.goheels.com/news/2018/1/3/mens-basketball-basketball-at-florida-state.aspx
North Carolina will continue to play on the road Saturday as they visit Virginia who is ranked eighth in this weeks AP Top 25 poll. "according to http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/rankings.
Tip-off is set for 1:00pm from John Paul Jones Arena . The game will be televised on ESPN. "according to http://www.goheels.com/schedule.aspx?path=mbball
Florida State meanwhile will stay in the state of Florida as they visit Miami Sunday who is ranked 15th in this weeks AP Top 25 poll. "according to http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/rankings
Tip-off is set for 6:00pm from the Watsco Center The game will be televised on ESPNU. "according to http://seminoles.com/sports/basketball/schedule/season/2017-18/