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Robinson looks at ups and downs of long layoff

Men's basketball coach Steve Robinson likens a scheduling quirk -- coming off an eight-day break at this stage of the season -- to a Catch-22.

"As a coach, you're always concerned how your team is going to handle the layoff that we've had," he said. "You get into a routine and you work within that routine. But you welcome the opportunity to catch your breath and then get in the gym and practice on specific things and not just prepare for your next opponent."

Does the negative cancel out the positive for the Seminoles?

Absolutely not, if you ask North Carolina coach Matt Doherty, whose struggling, inexperienced Tar Heels come to Tallahassee for an Atlantic Coast Conference game tonight.

"Florida State has a big advantage sitting back eight days preparing for us," Doherty said. "I think they'll be emotionally revved up like they were for the Duke game at home. We're going to have to expect Florida State's best effort."

If the Seminoles come close to duplicating their effort in stunning Duke 77-76 in their last home game on Jan. 6, then Doherty and his bunch have reason to be afraid. Not so if the Seminoles come out emotionally flat as they did at North Carolina State on Jan. 8.

"Our team has to show the ability to bounce back," Robinson said.

The layoff could help. Or hurt.

GROWING PAINS: Women's basketball coach Sue Semrau isn't about to hit the panic button with her team (10-6, 1-4ACC) in a four-game losing streak.

She understands her team is young, with six newcomers, and maturation is never easy. And the Seminoles have played seven of their past eight away from the Tallahassee Leon County Civic Center, losing four. But they are home Thursday against North Carolina and again Sunday against Georgia Tech and a win or two would be big.

"When you win, your confidence grows and when you lose, you start to wonder, "What's going on?' " Semrau said. "But the bottom line is this team believes in itself. We still feel good about who we are and what we can do."

SURGERY SET: Sophomore defensive tackle Darnell Dockett, who injured his left knee in the final minute of the Gator Bowl, had his surgery postponed from Jan. 11 to Friday.

AWARD WINNERS: Senior receiver Javon Walker and senior middle linebacker Bradley Jennings were named offensive and defensive MVPs, respectively, at last weekend's football banquet. Others honored: freshman quarterback Chris Rix (most improved offensive player), sophomore linebacker Michael Boulware (most improved defensive player), sophomore tailback Greg Jones (top offensive newcomer), freshman safety Claudius Osei (top defensive newcomer), freshman kicker Xavier Beitia, junior defensive backs Patrick Newton and Jared Hetzel (special-teams MVPs).

- Brian Landman covers Florida State athletics. He can be reached at landman@sptimes.com or at (813) 226-3347.

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