Florida State Can't Rest on Upset of Top-Ranked Duke

Filed under: Duke, ACC, Florida State

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- No more flub-ups.

That's how Florida State coach Leonard Hamilton described the Seminoles' consecutive road defeats to Auburn and Virginia Tech. He quickly credited both opponents but, in reality, FSU should have emerged with a pair of victories, if not at least played with more emotion and resolve.

The Seminoles also looked especially inept on offense and many wondered if this team, which had played six consecutive road games over a 26-day span, had the leadership and direction to reach its potential. FSU had already wiggled itself into a corner, and the grind of Atlantic Coast Conference play still awaited.

Well, the Seminoles did it again Wednesday night. They beat No. 1 and defending national champion Duke, 66-61, before a sold-out crowd at Tucker Center and a national television audience. Giddy fans stormed the court in celebration, and not even the midnight hour erased the smiles off Seminole faces.

FSU (12-5 overall, 2-1 ACC) made five free throws in the final 33 seconds to hold off the Blue Devils, who had won 25 consecutive games over a two-year span. It also marked the third time in the last nine seasons that the Seminoles have upset a top-ranked Duke team at home.

The victory, of course, means plenty to an FSU team that is trying to reach consecutive NCAA tournament appearances and construct a championship-level program. The Seminoles, who have exhibited split personalities during Hamilton's tenure, realize they have an opportunity to prove they are not one-hit wonders.

Source: http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2011/01/13/florida-state-cant-rest-on-upset-of-top-ranked-duke/

Tom Condon Arte Moreno Brian Cashman Joe Gibbs Heidi Ueberroth