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FSU Men Seeking History
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Published: March 18, 2008
TALLAHASSEE - By defeating Akron tonight in the first round of the NIT, Florida State can do something it has done only once in school history: win 20 or more games three consecutive seasons.
The only time the Seminoles accomplished that feat, 1991-93, future NBA players Charlie Ward, Doug Edwards, Bob Sura and Sam Cassell called FSU home.
"They left a legacy, so we've got a chance to leave one, too," junior guard Toney Douglas said Monday.
FSU coach Leonard Hamilton, in his 20th season as a college head coach, never has posted three consecutive 20-win seasons.
Once upon a time, 20-win seasons earned head coaches hefty raises and free all-you-can-eat offers from nearly every restaurant in town. Those days are long gone, sort of like the plaid jackets Hamilton used to wear when he first broke into coaching in the early 1970s.
"Years ago that was a milestone that everyone tried to get to," Hamilton said. "Now, that has taken on maybe more of a secondary role. Making the NCAA Tournament has been more of the measuring stick now for success of your program."
Based on those standards, FSU (19-14) easily could overlook Akron (23-10) and wallow in the disappointment of missing March Madness for the 10th consecutive season. But with a chance to advance in the NIT - and the bonus of another 20-win season - the Noles say they are determined to build on the momentum they had late in the season.
"Obviously, we didn't make the NCAA Tournament, but I feel we've still got a lot to play for," senior guard Jason Rich said. "This could be a great building block for the younger guys in the program."
FSU enters with five wins in its past seven games, both losses coming to No. 1-ranked North Carolina. Unlike the past two seasons, when the Noles waited anxiously on Selection Sunday to see if they were heading to the tournament, this year was more relaxed considering they expected nothing more than an NIT bid.
"I didn't even watch the selection show," Rich said.
This is FSU's third consecutive trip to the NIT, and seventh overall. The Noles have never won it - they finished runner-up to Michigan in 1997 - leaving another added incentive on the court.
"We can still prove to people we deserve to be in the NCAA Tournament by making a run," Douglas said. "We are still playing college basketball. There are a lot of teams that are not playing."
Reporter Scott Carter can be reached at (850) 294-3088
or scarter@tampatrib.com.
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