With late skid spoiling shot at NCAAs, the Seminoles accept first postseason bid since '98.
By BRIAN LANDMAN
Published March 15, 2004
GREENSBORO, N.C. - This time of the year for the past five years, Florida State already had its jerseys packed, the dreams put in storage for another year.
So, though it's a bit disappointed not to have received an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament given some eye-catching wins in the powerful ACC, the NIT is better than the familiar alternative.
"Any time we have an opportunity to practice and get together and discuss things and learn and grow, it's important for this team," coach Leonard Hamilton said in anticipation of Sunday night's announcement. "We're growing and improving in every aspect right now, except the win column."
The Seminoles (18-13), who lost their last five, travel to Wichita, Kan., to play Wichita State (21-10) on Wednesday in the first round of the 40-team tournament.
Availability of the Tallahassee-Leon County Civic Center, including the NCAA women's tournament this week, prevented FSU from having a chance to host in the early rounds. FSU has submitted bids to host games March 23, 24 or 25, which would be the second round and quarterfinals.
"It's better than we did last year," senior guard Tim Pickett said, adding that this should alert people that FSU is "taking steps slowly but surely."
The Seminoles last played in the NIT in 1997, beating Syracuse, Michigan State, West Virginia and Connecticut before falling to Michigan in the title game.
With a solid nucleus back, the Seminoles parlayed nonconference wins against UConn and defending national champion Arizona to surprise many pundits by earning an NCAA bid despite a 17-13 record, 6-10 in the ACC. They validated the selection committee's confidence by upsetting Texas Christian, then nearly advanced to the round of 16, losing to Valparaiso in overtime.
Ever since a postseason of any kind was for other folks.
"It's definitely a positive step," senior forward Michael Joiner said. "We haven't been in the postseason since I've been here, and if we have to go to the NIT just to make it to the NCAA next year, it's definitely a good path and a great place for our kids to get the right tournament environment."
Though Pickett, point guard Nate Johnson and Joiner will be gone from the starting lineup next season, the Seminoles have a corps of youngsters who figure to improve.
"I think it's a building block for next year; that means we're one step better and one step closer to achieving our goals, which is a national championship," freshman guard Von Wafer said. "As long as we're making progress, I'm okay with it (the NIT). The only way I'd be upset is if we didn't go to any postseason."
Still, the Seminoles beat Maryland, Wake Forest, Georgia Tech and North Carolina at home this season and lost eight games by seven points or fewer. That was the margin in the last five games, all losses to ranked teams.
"Coach Hamilton has done a terrific job with this group," NCAA selection committee chairman Bob Bowlsby said Sunday evening. "They have played extremely well. And yet, they were 0-8 in the ACC on the road, they went out of the (ACC) tournament early and we just felt like they were playing a developmental schedule."
