FSU is Two-And-Through in NCAA's

by Bill from Tampa

So Florida State's season comes to an end after losing to Cincinnati in the round of thirty-two by the score of 62-56.

It wasn't for lack of trying though.

This was a contest of two pretty evenly matched teams and if you look down the score sheet you can see that it was. For the game, there were 19 lead changes and 9 ties. Neither team led by more than six points.

The low score should not have been a surprise to anyone.

As the game wore on, you just could sense that it would come down to which team made the crucial plays or errors late in the game. And that is exactly what happened as Cincinnati made the key plays and Florida State made the crucial mistake at the worst possible time.

This was a game of two teams that slugged it out and slugged it out hard. No doubt ice packs were in demand after the game. That was expected from the Bearcats as they have played that way all season. Florida State was no slouch in that area either. Both teams beat on each other all game long and the referees let them.

Defensively the Seminoles did a good job of dealing with the Bearcat four guard alignment keeping the opponents in front of them most of the time. FSU held a team known for making three point shots to just 5 of 15 and 33% from the floor.

Unfortunately UC was just as good defensively holding the 'Noles to just 35%.

However, it was a player trying to make a play in a tight game with it coming down to the final minutes that cost FSU. Sean Kilpatrick one minute earlier hit a three from the right wing to put UC up 46-43 with 3:42 to play. Luke Loucks quickly answered to tie it back up. On the ensuing possession Devidas Dulkys made a calculated gamble in attempting to intercept a pass to Kilpatrick. He missed. Kilpatrick didn't and Cincinnati was back up 49-46.

As it turned out that was not the back breaker for FSU. The Seminoles actually took a 50-49 lead when Loucks rifled a pass to Bernard James for the wide open slam dunk and Loucks added two free throws.

Then came THE crucial mistake of the game. For all of Loucks improvement this season in assuming the starting role at point guard, many I am afraid will remember more so the ill-advised cross court pass that was picked off by Dion Dixon. Unimpeded, Dixon took it to the hole for the emphatic slam dunk giving UC a 52-50 lead with 1:40 to play.

Not an insurmountable lead, though. Except that FSU wilted from that point. Michael Snaer rushed a three point shot that missed, leading to a long rebound going the other way and a basket by Cashmere Wright.

Now it was a four point lead and less than a minute on the game clock.

The meltdown continued when Loucks traveled.

FSU still had a chance when Dixon was called out of bounds on the inbound play. The Seminoles didn't get the payoff, however, when Okaro White's three from the left wing missed.

Now it was press foul time and for a team that was 69% from the stripe overall, they sure didn't look like it, connecting 8 of 8 in the last 35.3 seconds, growing the lead to six points.

And that was all she wrote. A solidly successful season that ended too soon for fans and players.

Key Player of the Game I: It was actually a triumvirate of Kilpatrick (18), Dixon (15), and Yancey Gates (10) who all added key baskets at key moments.

Key Player of the Game II: After going scoreless in teh St Bonaventure game Michael Snaer got back on track of sort with 11 points. However, Snaer disappeared and added just 2 in the second period. Teammates just never seemed to be able to get him the ball.

Key State I: That bug-a-boo that has plagued the Seminoles all season .... turnovers ..... 17 of them .... made its appearance again. It resulted in 19 points for the Bearcats. While UC had 15 miscues, FSU only managed 6 points.

Key Stat II: Florida State had two breakaway opportunities and one wide open slam dunk attempt and ended up with zero points. Loucks tapped the ball away that was picked up by Dulkys who made a bounce pass to White whose layup rolled off the rim. Later in the first half with under a minute left, Jeff Peterson and Ian Miller got out on a 2 on 1 break. Peterson decided to take it in against the defender who changed the shot enough so that it missed. To make matters worse Miller missed the put back. The very first play of the second half was a slam dunk attempt by James that clanged off the rim. It's never just one play or even a handful of plays that cost a team a win. But that was three chances and six potential points lost. And Florida State lost by how many?

Key Stat III: Coming into the game FSU was 22-0 when leading at the half. The Seminoles led 26-25 at the break. That stat ends the season at 22-1.