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Florida State had the bait, too bad Jadeveon Clowney didn't bite

Florida State's 2011 class could've been even better if super bluechipper Jadeveon Clowney had come aboard. Now a Fox Sports story reveals the pitch that Noles' QB coach and recruiting coordinator Dameyune Craig used to entice Clowney to take an official visit. While it didn't work out, Clowney still had major props for Craig. Nice try, coach.

“I don’t know if you’re going to come down here to see us or if you’re coming down for the girls, because we got ’em,” Clowney recalled Craig telling him.

“He’s a black guy, brother, so he know what’s going on and everything,” Clowney said of Craig. “He a cool dude. He kept it real with me.”

Eavesdropping on the ACC-FSU conference call to hammer out the final 2011 schedule

Breaking: FSU's 2011 ACC Schedule, including (Whew) no Labor Day game

Things to like: No Labor Day game. A decent Open Date, giving the team time to lick its wounds after two critical games (Oklahoma and Clemson). Also, catching Clemson early while the Tiger offense is still learning its new hurry-up attack.

Not crazy about playing B.C. late in the fall, at night and on the road. Raw New England weather could be an advantage for the Eagles, just like North Florida heat helps FSU. Downside of the Clemson game date is trying to get cranked up again after OU. However, Clemson will face the same problem, coming off a game with Auburn on Sept. 17. Also, the Noles get Miami late in the season, giving the Canes time to jell under Golden -- though at least it's a home game.

Finally, high fives to the Noles A.D. and staff for successfully resisting the ACC's pressure to screw up the entire schedule with that Labor Day game. Miami will still play it, but against Maryland at College Park -- don't be surprised, though, if the game is switched to FedEx Field in D.C.

Sept. 3 LOUISIANA‐MONROE
Sept. 10 CHARLESTON SOUTHERN
Sept. 17 OKLAHOMA
Sept. 24 @ Clemson
Oct. 1 OPEN
Oct. 8 @ Wake Forest
Oct. 15 @ Duke
Oct. 22 MARYLAND
Oct. 29 NC STATE
Nov. 3 @ Boston College (Thurs.) ESPN, 8 pm
Nov. 12 MIAMI
Nov. 19 VIRGINIA
Nov. 26 @ Florida

Hugh who? FSU's all-time winningest coach will take a bow as an ACC Legend

You can't blame thousands of FSU fans if they say, "Hugh, who?" After all, Hugh Durham left Tallahassee in 1978. But look it up. Durham is the Noles all-time winningest basketball coach, with a record of 230-95, a .708 winning percentage.

Durham went on to coach at Georgia, which is where his name is usually associated. But he was a Seminole first -- as a player and a coach. And it's for his FSU days that Durham will be honored at this year's ACC Tournament. He's one of the 2011 Legends class that will take a bow during halftime of the first semifinal game.

The video above -- albeit at a Univ. of Tennessee event in January -- is a look at Durham as he is today, retired and mostly overlooked, even by his alma mater.

So as a reminder of his impact at FSU, here's a recap of Durham's milestones with the Noles (thanks in part to Wikipedia):

• To honor Durham's achievements over five decades at three schools, the "Hugh Durham Coach of the Year" award goes each year to the top NCAA Division I mid-major coach. 

• Durham is the only coach in the history of NCAA Division I basketball to lead two different schools to their first and only NCAA Final Four appearance in each school's history. (FSU - 1972 & UGA - 1983).

• He's one of only 11 NCAA Division I coaches to take two different teams to the NCAA Final Four.

• Durham's career totals include 633 wins, eight NCAA tournament appearances, two NCAA Final Fours, seven NIT bids, one NIT Final Four, two SEC championships, one Metro Conference Championship, four SEC Coach of the Year awards and one Metro Conference Coach of the Year award.

Bill from Tampa's buzz on the Yellowjacket road win

After Sunday’s debacle in Chapel Hill, Florida State wanted to win this game. And they played like they really wanted it, jumping out immediately to a 20-4 lead. The Seminoles never looked back after that, holding off Georgia Tech, who closed the margin to seven on a couple of occasions but never really threatened.

The best quote after the game came from Michael Snaer. "To get that big jump and hit them first, that means a lot," Snaer said. "Because they've got their crowd and they've got the momentum, so we've got to come out and snatch it right away." That “crowd” was announced as 5,902. If there were 3,000 there they were lucky. Either that or the desired sellout crowd was fashionably late. Very late. Tech fans obviously have had it with Paul Hewitt and last night didn’t do anything to change that.

Tech showed why it is the lowest scoring team and last in shooting percentage in the ACC. They can’t shoot the ball. Well, actually they can. Unfortunately for them the Yellow Jackets are enamored with shooting from the perimeter. When you put up thirty one three pointers and only make seven, is it any wonder that Tech shot just 29% (19% in the first half? Of course FSU’s defense had a hand in that. Actually two hands, as the Seminole defenders constantly had their hands in the face of the Jackets’ shooters. Yes, Glen Rice Jr. and Iman Shumpert scored 24 and 25 points respectively. They had to hoist 51 shots to do it, connecting on just 18 (35%). But clearly that is an inept GT offense as evidenced by the two blown alley oop attempts the Jackets tried where one pass sailed far over the head of the receiver and the other hit the back board. In one seven minute stretch, Georgia Tech missed eleven straight shots and turned the ball over five times. I can’t understand why Tech fans wouldn’t want to come to the games to see that.

"Most of the time, our defense is going to be there," Singleton said. "It showed up tonight." As Leonard Hamilton would say, “No doubt about that.”

If you're anywhere near the ATL, lots of tickets available for tonight's game at Tech

Georgia Tech fans are staying away from what's called The Thrillerdome like retirees shun a L'il Kim concert. Estimates are the school has lost over $621 thousand in ticket sales because of how the Jackets are under-performing under Paul Hewitt.

The subplot here is if Tech can afford to axe Hewitt after the season. They'll have to write him a $7-million check to walk, and the school is already committed to spending $45 million next year to renovate the Alexander Colesium...er, Thrillerdome.

All of which presents an opportunity for FSU fans. You shouldn't have any trouble getting tickets for tonight's game (tipoff @7pm). We just called Tech's ticket office and asked if we could get ten seats together. "No problem," answered the eager ticket seller.

You'll witness what might be one of Hewitt's final games at Tech, as well as getting a last look at arguably the most antiquated arena in the ACC.

As for the game itself, the Yellowjackets offense is scoring even less than FSU's (69.3 per game vs. 70.0 for the Noles). And Hewitt is desperate to find a third scorer with Brian Oliver out.

Update-Bill from Tampa says: Blame goes to the former Georgia Tech AD who allowed such a ridiculous buyout amount to be written into the contract.

As for the game itself, yes, Tech's offense scores even less than FSU's offense. They do lead the country in steals, however, and like to force teams into turnovers by pressing and using multiple defenses.

With a FSU squad that is not exactly firing on all cylinders offensively and has a propensity to turn the ball over (308th in the country) in addition to playing poorly on the road in conference...well, the Seminoles can't afford to even begin to think about GT's attendance issues and whether or not Hewitt will become a rich man by doing nothing.

On the positive side FSU's three ACC losses have been against teams with winning conference records. GT sits at 3-6.

Recruiting Reality Check: A good percentage of "can't miss" players do exactly that

Fred Rouse. Brandon Warren. Kenny O'Neal. Just a random sample from FSU's list of four and five star talent that fizzled or didn't work out.

There are more. Lots more. Names that resontate with disappointment of what might have been.

The point is not to kill the heady buzz of what might be the Noles best recruiting class ever. Simply to keep a little perspective. Hey, stuff happens. Guys get homesick, get in trouble, get injured, get bad grades -- and the list goes on.

For example, here's an account of FSU players from ESPNU's Top 150 over the past five years and their rank on the 150. Notice the Hits (11) and Misses (9). Others, some of the more recent, are labeled TBD (to be determined).

2006
Myron Rolle, #1 - HIT
Marcus Ball, #18 - MISS (Released from scholarship)
Brandon Warren, #20 - MISS (Transfer)
Damon McDaniel, #35 - MISS (Transfer)
Marcus Sims, #54 - MISS (Transfer)
Caz Piurowki, #140 - HIT
Daron Rose, #145 - MISS (Grades)

2007
Dionte Allen, #73 - MISS (Transfer)
Brandon Paul, #81 - MISS (Quit)

2008
Terrance Parks, #36 - HIT
Jermaine Thomas, #47 - HIT
E.J. Manuel, #51 - HIT
Nigel Bradham, #60 - HIT
Nigel Carr, #74 - MISS (Dismissed from team)

2009
Jacobbi McDaniel, #5 - HIT
Greg Reid, #15 - HIT
Demonte McAllister, #44 - HIT
Gerald Demps, #71 - TBD
Willie Downs, #150 - MISS (Didn't qualify)

2010
Lamarcus Joyner, #6 TBD (He had his moments in 2010)
Jeff Luc, #11 TBD
Christian Jones, #27 HIT
Christian Green, #53 TBD
Telvin Smith, #107 HIT
Nigel Terrell, #120 TBD
Darious Cummings, #130 TBD

Jermaine Thomas arrested for suspended drivers license. Leon Co. prosecutor to seek death penalty

Okay, not excusing a player driving on a suspended license (free Democrat article here). But there are obvious misunderstandings from what we hear. Allegedly, Thomas hadn't updated his address with the DMV so he never got notification of a surcharge for excessive driving points. Since it wasn't paid, his license was suspended. But he never received the suspension notice because they didn't have his correct address. Thus it was "turn around and put your hands behind your head."

It'll be interesting to see if the overzealous Leon Co. Prosecutor, true to form, tries to parlay a harmless misdemeanor into a case worthy of Law & Order.

BFT on the morning after UNC hangover

Why FSU lost the game: Too much Kendall Marshall. While Derwin Kitchen had an OK game (6 assists,  3 turnovers, 12 pts), the difference of having a true point guard clearly showed. Kitchen is what he is. That is not his fault. Leonard Hamilton decided long ago to go with a combo guard at a crucial position in a league that is known for point guards. That does not appear to be changing any time soon. Now Kitchen's defense on Marshall .... that's a different story.

When FSU lost the game: The Seminoles closed the score to 31-27 late in the first half. In a matter of moments they were down 43-32. OK, the 'Noles closed the gap to 43-34. But really ... that was a lucky shot by Kitchen. Yes FSU closed it to 57-51 in the second half. Marshall promptly answered that, not with an assist but a three pointer to put UNC back up by double digits, and that was the end of that. But you cannot allow UNC to score 43 points in one half. Letting the Tar Heels get on a pace to score in the high 80's is a recipe for a loss, especially with an offensively challenged team like Florida State.

Key statistic Part I: Marshal and his 16 assists which was one more than the entire Florida State squad.

Key statistic Part II: FSU 47% from the floor. This coming from a  team that was averaging 35% on the road. That tells you one of two things. UNC's defense is not very good and the Tar Heels best defense is their offense.

Key statistic Part III: UNC 56% from the floor. Not since Gonzaga had FSU allowed a team to shoot better than 50%. It was just the second time in 91 games that has happened.

More disappointing aspects of the game: FSU looked totally unprepared for the numerous run outs after missed shots and even made baskets. It's not like this was a new tactic for Roy Williams' team. The Seminoles looked like they were standing still as the quicker Tar Heels easily sliced through the 'Noles defense. Have to give a failing grade in execution and/or preperation on that aspect of the game.

Intangibles: It seemed like every bounce of the ball went UNC's way. There was always a Tar Heel in the right spot to gather in a loose ball or some one to pass to as the ball was going out of bounds. Larry Drew who? North Carolina is better off without him. Or at least they sure didn't miss him.

Positives from the game: FSU got Xavier Gibson back, who made a couple of decent plays on both ends, in particular making his first shot attempt, a turn around jumper from the left side baseline. Bernard James continues his torrid shooting. Chris Singleton's 15 points despite sitting eleven minutes of the first half with foul trouble. They were a quiet 15 points though as were most of the Seminole baskets.

Did Tre Jackson get the scholarship FSU had reserved for Tony Steward?

"When Jackson took the recruiting trip to Florida State...he was informed he may have to accept a grayshirt offer — meaning his enrollment would be delayed until January 2012. However, Florida State had a regular scholarship open up after another recruiting target went elsewhere, leading to Jackson signing with the Seminoles on Wednesday."
--The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

It's not a big leap to figure the scholarship that opened up was being saved for LB Tony Steward (can you think of any other bluechipper that didn't come through for the Noles on signing day?). As painful as it was to see Steward head to Clemson, Tre Jackson may prove to be pretty fair compensation for the loss. Watch Jackson's highlight video above and the kid really stands out, both on the offensive and defensive lines.