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Seminoles Seek Wake-Up Call

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By SCOTT CARTER | The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 16, 2008

TALLAHASSEE - Leonard Hamilton had that same tired look his team had three hours earlier.

After answering way-too-familiar questions following Florida State's 78-70 loss to Wake Forest on Thursday night, Hamilton remained seated at a table in the media room of the Donald L. Tucker Center. The clock already had struck midnight, but Hamilton was in no hurry to get home.

The way the Seminoles opened the game, Hamilton wasn't going to sleep much, anyway.

"They did not show up on the court," he said.

Senior guard Jason Rich backed Hamilton's assessment of one of FSU's most disappointing losses of the season. The defeat included twice as many turnovers (13) as assists (five) and, without an inside game to rely on, a 5-for-27 performance from 3-point range.

"We just didn't have the energy," Rich said. "I think it's safe to say we didn't come prepared to play."

The Noles fell behind 41-20, and other than a late surge that cut Wake Forest's lead to 50-47 midway through the second half, they did little to avoid their seventh loss in nine games. The uninspired defeat stung in more ways than one, the early lack of energy and focus topping Hamilton's list of concerns.

You can bet Hamilton will urge the Noles to avoid a repeat effort today at Maryland. They need to win their final six games to have any shot at earning an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament.

In his sixth season, Hamilton remains hopeful of salvaging a season that has gone awry for a number of reasons, primarily injuries and Ryan Reid's nine-game suspension.

Thursday's loss was FSU's first without senior guard Isaiah Swann, who is not expected to play again this season after tearing the ACL in his left knee. Uche Echefu, showing signs earlier in the season of blossoming into more of an inside offensive threat, is averaging only 7.8 points and 7.4 rebounds in eight games since scoring a career-high 24 points and grabbing 12 rebounds Jan. 12 at Clemson.

"It's almost like you're trying to hang on, instead of pushing people," Hamilton said of constantly trying to reinvent his team with a limited roster. "For me, it's been one obstacle after another. I really didn't see this coming."

FSU's bad luck started last summer when prized recruit Solomon Alabi, a 7-foot-1 freshman, injured his shin. Alabi played early in the season, but the pain forced him to have corrective surgery. Since then, a constant stream of misfortune has plagued the Noles.

"It's easy to use all of that as an excuse if you want to, but that still should not lead you to a lack of aggressive, competitive spirit," Hamilton said.

Rich is confident the Noles will show up from the start today.

"The games are still scheduled," he said. "This team is not going to quit."

Florida State At Maryland

TIP-OFF: 3 p.m.; Comcast !Center, College Park, Md.

RECORDS: FSU 14-11 (3-7 ACC); Maryland 16-9 (6-4)

TV/RADIO: WTOG, Ch..44/WHBO, 1470 AM

NEED TO KNOW: FSU sophomore F Ryan Reid, ejected from Thursday's loss against Wake Forest for a flagrant foul on Chas McFarland, will play today and is not expected to face further penalties. … FSU senior G Jason Rich is averaging 20.1 points and shooting 54.2 percent in his past four games.

Noles senior G Isaiah Swann (torn ACL in left knee) is not expected to play for the second consecutive game. … FSU has dropped to third in the nation in free-throw shooting at 78.0 percent, trailing Utah State (78.1) and UC-Santa Barbara (78.3). … Maryland F James Gist is averaging 16.1 points and 8.0 rebounds. … Maryland leads the all-time series 25-9.

Reporter Scott Carter can be reached at (850) 294-3088 or scarter@tampatrib.com.

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