ChantRant.com

Noles Continue To Roll, 88-62 Over SE Lousiana

by Bill from Tampa

If the Southeast Louisiana Lions had any thoughts of upsetting Florida State after getting an early 7-3 lead, they were quickly erased as the Seminoles used a 26-6 run in less than ten minutes to take complete control of the game easily winning easily by a 88-62 score.

FSU used a balanced scoring attack that saw the margin approach thirty points in the first half. Five players finished in double figures and ten of eleven players put points on the scoreboard.

Able to post up on the blocks all game long Jason Rich led all scorers with 16 points and Casaan Breeden had a career high with 13. Two early three point shots propelled Isaiah Swann to 12 with Al Thornton and Toney Douglas each adding 10.

While the offense reached a new high for points this season, Leonard Hamilton was more complimentary of his defense. With the Lions, Hamilton indicated they were more of a one on one type shooting team. With the challenge to the defense of staying in front of  their man, Hamilton felt his team accomplished that mission very well.

Knocked at times for his defense, Hamilton acknowledged that Swann even after the Lions’ leading scorer Daryl Cohen (19.2 ppg) nailed a three pointer on his very first shot over the junior guard. Swann held him in check shutting him down with no other baskets for the rest of the game. Cohen finished with just 7 points.

“We felt like they were a good three point shooting team and we made that a priority” Hamilton said.

With the Lions connecting on just 3 of 19 three balls obviously the ‘Noles accomplished that priority.

SE La was held to 38% shooting for the game.

The game was a repeat of the last three games where FSU used an effective ball hawking man to man defense to force SE La into 21 turnovers allowing the Seminoles the opportunity to push the ball up the floor on numerous breakaways.

At times it seemed all too easy for FSU on the breaks as the ‘Noles hot-dogged it at times with between the legs and behind the back passes.

Not all of them were without comedic errors. Jerel Allen’s fake behind the back dribble to a behind the back pass to Ryan Reid saw the freshman forward lose the ball high into the air. Fortunately Breeden was there to grab it and convert the basket.

The largest lead of the first half at 51-22 occurred with 2:04 left. Thornton grabbed a rebound; put the ball on the floor and dribbled the length of the floor for the layup plus the foul.

Two free throws by Douglas made the halftime score 55-30.

With a large lead at halftime the problem is always keeping the same focus for the second twenty. FSU had its difficulties in that area committing three turnovers on its first three possessions.

Hamilton did not hesitate to say he was “disappointed” by the turnovers. For the game FSU committed 19 miscues. Hamilton labeled them as the “unnecessary type”.

Rebounding was also an issue. “Rebounding continues to be a concern for us” stated Hamilton. “They had inside position and we gave up too many offensive rebounds (13) in this game.”

Despite those issues for Hamilton, FSU was never threatened and led 86-54 on an easy layup by Breeden off a nice feed from Swann who faked the shot but spotted Breeden heading to the rim. The basket brought in the walk-ons Matt Zitani and Brian Hoff with 2:33 remaining.

For the game, FSU shot well again connecting on 55% from the floor. Assistant coach Andy Enfield continues to make his contributions known as the ‘Noles once again were excellent from the stripe converting 18 of 21 charity shots.

Notes: FSU will take the next week off for final exams and will
not be back in action until December 18th against High Point. …. Swann suffered a bone bruise on his left wrist when Douglas lobbed a three quarters court pass over Swann’s head. He tumbled out of bounds falling hard on his already injured left hand. Swann did re-enter the game apparently no worse for the wear. …. The virus that plagued the team in the game versus Georgia State continues to be a problem this time hitting the coaching staff. Tim Carter remained at home for the game suffering the effects of the virus. Hamilton expressed hope that he could avoid catching it. He would be one of the few who would as eight players did not make practice of breakfast the day of the game in Atlanta last Thursday.

O.C. 411: Steve Logan, a former Pirate with a knack for Quarterback development

Logan's name has surfaced as yet another possible candidate to revamp FSU's offense. He was last seen coaching East Carolina, where he was 69-58 during his 11-year tenure.

Since then he's been tutoring quarterbacks in the NFL Europe, including Rohan Daveyand Drew Henson. While at ECU he developed Jeff Blake and David Garrard into QBs who would go on to start in the NFL. Logan has developed himself into a sports-talk radio host in Raleigh, doing a daily show when not coaching in Europe.

The Low-Down On Logan From an ECU Expert.

Ron Cherubini has followed the Pirates for twenty years. First as a sports reporter, and since 2001 as a prolific contributor to the East Carolina site, Bonesville.net. He's also the Editor of Bonesville's football annual.

ChantRant: What kind of coach is Logan?

Cherubini: "He is an offensive mastermind. Under his guidance, scoring points was never an issue. However, his weakness as a head coach was recognizing that he needed an equally strong coach to manage his defense AND he had to recruit defensive quality. He was always more likely to sign more offensive players at the cost of defensive needs." 

ChantRant: Apparently, he enjoys developing young QBs.

Cherubini: "It is pretty clear he is not only able to ID great potential college QBs while they are still in high school, but he also has a great touch with them. He is an academic in his approach. His list of QBs (hands on): Jeff Blake, Marcus Crandell (CFL Grey Cup MVP), Dan Gozales (CFL), David Garrard. Current QB at ECU, James Pinkney was Logan's last QB recruit, whom I believe is pretty talented, though he was developed obviously by Steve Shankweiler (a Logan disciple, having coached under him for years).

"I really would love to see what he could do with the types of QBs Bobby brings in terms of level of talent. Also, you should note that he has produced the last two World League (NFL) top-rated Quarterbacks. In short, I believe he would be an amazing quarterbacks mentor for FSU QBs."

ChantRant: How would you rate Logan's play-calling?

Cherubini: "Purely opinion here, I think he generally calls a very good game. His Offensive Schemes tend to be pretty complex so QBs and Receivers need to mature in the system a bit before they are lights out. Of course, he rolls out the playbook accordingly, but the effect is kind of 2 years of explosion followed by a year of basic offense, then a year of half the playbook, before you get back to explosiveness (tied to a new QB taking over). He also, sometimes, gets a little too cute with trick plays. At ECU, it was understandable because you often were facing a talent deficit and "needed" the trick play whereas at FSU that is rarely the case. Though I think he and Bobby Bowden would be on the same page in terms of being non-risk averse in their playing calling.

"I think that in Bowden's system, with FSU's recruits, Logan's Offenses would probably be akin to the days FSU was hanging 40-45 points on opponents week-in and week-out, including ranked opponents (where the winner would be the team that outscores the other).

"It should be noted, too, that Miami had made a big push for Logan when he was at ECU and he turned them down. Logan is an extremely loyal coach to both players and the institution. Plus, he and Dave Hart are very good friends."

ChantRant: What was his downfall at ECU?

Cherubini: "My read on the situation was that there was a perception that Logan was burning out due to an ongoing adversarial relationship with the A.D. that followed Dave Hart.
At the same time, there was a faction within the alumni base that seemed to have concluded that Logan had taken the program as far as he could (consistent winner, consistently in contention for a C-USA title, consistently in mid-level bowl games, etc...) and that the program needed to take the next step and bring in someone to take it to the next level — a regular Top-25 program. In my opinion, this faction seized on the 4-7 season (really the previous 6-6 year) and pushed for his dismissal with an AD who was all-too-willing to have Logan gone."

CROC SHOCK: Noles Take Down #4 Gators In Powergame Payback

There was a basketball game last night?
by Bill from Tampa

OK, by now you may have heard there was a basketball game played at the Civic Center Sunday night. If you are a Seminole fan and you weren’t aware of that then all I have to say is insert that “hmmmmm” groan made by that mannequin in that TV commercial who “volunteered” to be in that manger scene. What the heck were you doing at the time, riveted to that Denver Seattle NFL game? Catching the latest episode of “Desperate Housewives?

Which briefly leads me to this. The game was listed as a sellout. Sell out means to me virtually no seats are empty. Unfortunately there were too many people masquerading as seats with those FSU towels for fans to wave draped over them. I mean sections and rows of seats just plain empty.

What is up with that? You spend the money to buy the ticket
and then you don’t come to the game?? Against your rival? “Desperate Housewives” better have been one dadgum good episode.

But I digress.

Allow me to offer a somewhat sleep deprived few (actually many) comments about the 70-66 win over the gatros (their …) aka crocs of XXVI.

Winning a game like that over a number four ranked team who just happens to be your rival especially after a certain football game on November 25th and something about some BCS game they are involved in made for a very enjoyable four hour drive back home.

As I deadpanned to one FSU coach after that game, “That was a fairly decent game to watch.” That got the desired chuckle I was looking for.

On to the game.

You only have to mention one name that propelled FSU to this win. Al Thornton.

The gatros (their …) aka crocs of XXVI
had absolutely no answer to Thornton. None whatsoever. Nada. Zippo (not to be confused as one of the Marx Brothers).
He was everywhere and did everything
on the floor.

The only thing that nearly stopped him was a cramping problem in his right thigh late in the game. At that point I’m thinking “Oh no, we don’t need this and neither does Al right now”. But when one fan leaned over the rail and asked if he was going to be OK, I felt a lot better when he said “I’m fine. I’ll be back in (the game)”.

Just a quick run down of some of Al’s plays that certainly
pleased his fan club section, Al’s Pals, behind the basket next to our bench.

Al starts off his 28 points on 10-16 shooting by canning a smooth
jumper just inside the three point line on the left wing. Shortly after that he just blows by Joakim Noah from near the right elbow. Later he abused Noah again faking him out of his you know what for another driving layup down the ride side of the lane.

The highlight basket of the first half though had to be his wrestling the rebound away from the gatros (their …) aka crocs of XXVI big men pivoting under the rim for the reverse slam dunk with 1:27 left to make it 36-27 in favor of the ‘Noles.

Thornton had another offensive putback in the second half as he fought off three defenders to grab the ball plus get the foul from Chris Richard. That gave FSU its largest lead at 53-40 with 12:08
to play.

Needless to say the very partisan FSU crowd rather loud. The gatros (their …) aka crocs of XXVI fans I think at this point were not happy. I could’ve been wrong though. Maybe it was the frowns of the two O&B clad fans next to us that gave me that impression or a group who earlier and often waved one of those blue flags with a head of a gator now sat motionless.

Add to that Al’s line 9 rebounds (6 offensive) and 2 blocked shots. I know his line says one. But I’m counting it as two. Both were the esult of not giving up on the play and erasing sure baskets by Tauren Green on the breakaway. I question that goal tending call as well. Come to think of it so did the rest of the Seminole fans. Certainly we had to see it better than those refs did.

Anyway, the second half was no different for Thornton. He started it right off by this time abusing Al Horford putting the ball on the floor and muscling by him off the left side for the layup.

OK, so now the gatros (their …) aka crocs of XXVI pack it in to prevent his drives. No problem. Al cans a three pointer at the 16:50 mark to make it 45-37.

But after going up by fifteen points, 58-43, thanks to Isaiah Swann’s three ball from the left wing certainly a number 4 ranked team is not going to go away easily. They made their expected run after Donovan benched most of his starters that is as a not so subtle message to step up the intensity.

A fast break layup, one of several late in the game as FSU got a tad sloppy with the ball, made it 60-56 with just over four minutes left in the game. And now those O&B clad fans are chomping away and we see that flag waving again.

Not to worry. Al to the rescue again. Noah is determined not about to let him drive past him again. Okaaaaaaaaay. Al just launches the jumper and FSU is back up 62-56.

The gatros (their …) aka crocs of XXVI inch still closer as Green drives in from the left wing for the layup for a 64-61 score.

Side note here. I guess someone finally got the message to not let Green drive to the right as he did about a bazillion times for what was often the easy layup.

With FSU’s offense struggling, Al makes the crucial basket at the 2:20 mark when this time he just schools Richard going right around him for another layup.

FSU now led 66-61.

Noah, who obviously was slowed with that respiratory infection, finally woke up late in the game and forced a tip in while drawing a foul from Thornton. However he missed the FT leaving the score at 66-63.

Thornton once again is the man stepping up to hit a very important shot. As he drifted up on the right side from the baseline with a very nice screen at the key by Ryan Reid, Al received the ball as it was reversed and line drived the ball into the hoop.

Now you’re talking bedlam in the place as the crowd is going berserk. Without a decibel meter in hand and just guessing I’m pretty sure that was the loudest I’ve heard a crowd at the Civic Center.

That shot was important because Walter Hodge nailed a three ball on the next possession from above the key to close the score to 68-66 with just 53 seconds left.

A missed three point attempt by Toney Douglas gave the gatros (their …) aka crocs of XXVI one last chance. Toney atoned for that miss however.

With seven seconds left Green rushed a three pointer from the right of the key only to have Douglas get enough of a hand on the ball for it to come up far short of the rim.

And there is Al grabbing the ball out of the air getting fouled in the process with only 4 seconds remaining.

What was fascinating to me was how Al just quickly made his way to the free throw line long before anyone else and before the referee was even finished signaling the call to the scorer’s table. Al was obviously ready to make those freebies and seal the win. There was no question he would miss those shots and he did not disappoint calmly swishing both shots.

Calling a timeout to set the play all the gatros (their …) aka crocs of XXVI toss the ball down the floor which was quickly intercepted.

As Ralph Mims (I think it was as by now I’m celebrating with the people in our section) tossed the ball high into the air that bounced off the gatros (their …) aka crocs of XXVI bench and into the stands students rushed the floor. I think that ball just became a souvenir of Seminole fan.

What a great scene as the students behind our goal chanted “FSU, FSU, FSU” as the students prepared to rush the floor.

With the final buzzer sounding, streams of students crowded the floor. Kudos to the security staff for at least protecting the FSU radio broadcast team from the onslaught. Apparently Mic Hubert (I wonder how many “OH MY”s he had to say about that) was
not so lucky. When last we saw of Mic, he was looking none to happy.

Even less happy was the gatros (their …) aka crocs of XXVI team. Green was rather demonstrative in his disgust at the outcome as he made his way through the mass of people and into the tunnel.

Oh, and back to those gatros (their …) aka crocs of XXVI fans next to us, for some reason they didn’t care to see those last four seconds. As their chant says, they got and went.

I hate to overlook other player’s contributions such as a key rebound by Jerel Allen, or Jason Rich’s floater as he seemingly hung forever in the air before launching it, but I’m sure no one wants to recap the size of “War and Peace”.

So as this elated writer made his way to the car for the long
drive home, I could hear the Seminole Sound drum line outside the Civic Center serenading a crowd of fans still buzzing about the win.

Oh yeah, one more thing. Speaking of buzzing Seminole fans or in this case a buzzed fan, one such individual still inside the arena high atop Spotlight Grill enjoyed the win but apparently had “issues’ with Swann and his play. He made his displeasure quite clear as the people emaining people on the court could only stare at him and wonder what is wrong with this bozo.

What made it worthwhile was when he made his way down the steps and promptly fell landing on his rear end. I’m not sure he even noticed that he did fall as he stumbled way down the remaining steps.

At this point I could only think that the only thing that could have made that better was to have this clown fall flat on his face. Didn’t happen though. Oh well. At least we won the game.

With a winning attitude like this, UCLA might actually knock the Trojans off their high horse

UCLA Coach Karl Dorrell is a mild-mannered guy. But he wants his players to have a hard-nosed, nobody-pushes-us-around attitude every time they take the field. Just ask Junior cornerback Rodney Van (number 3 in the game shot):

"First of all, it starts with our work ethic, the in-program things, the mentality that we're going to get it done, no matter what," UCLA junior cornerback Rodney Van said. "Week in and week out, we know we're the better team. There's never a doubt in your mind. And that's what they
(the Trojans) have.

"I honestly think they come to the field like, `I don't care who we're playing. We're better than you. We have better athletes than you. We will win. We'll find
a way to win.' I think that's the mentality that we need to have."

While it'll take more than bravado to beat USC on Saturday, it's a preview of the confidence bordering on swagger that UCLA will bring to the Emerald Bowl. For more on how Coach Dorrell has overhauled Bruin football, here's an excellent story from the
L.A. Daily News.