Colleges

Seminoles remain in tune after big win

FSU turns up the defense and takes care of Minnesota.

By Jamey Givens
Published November 28, 2007

ADVERTISEMENT [AP photo] The Seminoles' Jason Rich gets hammered by Minnesota's Blake Hoffarber while trying to control the ball during the first half.

TALLAHASSEE - Senior point guard Ralph Mims was ready to do things a bit differently for his last season as a Seminole.

He sang the national anthem Tuesday night before tipoff, then set the tone with his energy to make sure there was no letdown after FSU's big win at then-No. 25 Florida.

Mims sparked the maturing Seminoles (6-2) with 13 points and eight rebounds as FSU cruised to a 75-61 win over Minnesota in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge.

"That's a pretty good night," FSU coach Leonard Hamilton said. "We might have to let him sing the national anthem in the locker room (every game) to get him tuned up."

"I was just having fun," Mims said with a sheepish grin. "It's my last year and I'm trying to do some different things to excite my senior year."

It wasn't the only thing he did to make sure things are different. For the past few years, too many big wins had been followed by ugly losses. Mims and the other upperclassmen set the tone with their energy and poise, a sign that this team might be growing up.

"We're trying to get past that," he said. "I think we are, but we are still learning."

With Minnesota (3-1) still hanging around in the second half, the Seminoles defense clamped down, holding the Gophers to one field goal over nine minutes and stretching their lead to 16.

Minnesota's senior frontcourt and leading scorers Spencer Tollackson and Dan Coleman combined for just 11 points on 5-for-21 shooting.

"I think we were just playing solid basketball, sticking with our defensive principles," Hamilton said. "That's what experience will do for you."

[Last modified November 28, 2007, 01:08:37]