FSU sports information:

The No. 4 Florida State beach volleyball team finished 2-2 at the East vs. West Tournament in Manhattan Beach, Calif., this weekend.

Florida State (15-2) opened the day against No. 2 UCLA. The Noles fought hard and came close in many sets, but ultimately fell short to the Bruins, losing the duel 4-1. Junior Anna Long and sophomore Alexis Durish put on a clinic, coming away with a 21-17 victory in the first set. The Bruins did not go down easy on court four, but Long and Durish got the job done and won the Seminoles’ only point with a 22-20 win in Set two.

The Noles then played No. 10 LMU. It started as a very even matchup, as Makenna Wolfe and Alli Hansen tied the duel at 1-1 in a three-set thriller. Durish and Long continued their winning streak, winning court three 2-0, then Caitlin Moon and Kaeli Crews put the match away, winning court five in an intense three-set contest to secure the 3-2 win for FSU.

Florida State will be back in action at home next weekend to host the CCSA Midseason Tournament. The Seminoles will open play against Jacksonville at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 23, followed by South Carolina at 2:30 p.m. FSU will close the home stint against Grand Canyon at 10:15 a.m. on Sunday, and against LSU at 12:45 p.m. Live stats will be available on Seminoles.com.

#2 UCLA 4, #4 Florida State 1

Lexy Denaburg/Maggie Boyd (UCLA) def. Maddie Anderson/Skyler Germann (FSU) 21-18, 21-14
Devon Newberry/Peri Brennan (UCLA) def. Audrey Koenig/Raelyn White (FSU) 21-17, 23-21
Kenzie Brower/Jessie Smith (UCLA) def. Alli Hansen/Carra Sassack (FSU) 21-14, 21-12
Alexis Durish/Anna Long (FSU) def. Tessa Van Winkle/Jaden Whitmarsh (UCLA) 21-17, 22-20
Natalie Myszkowski/Ensley Alden (UCLA) def. Madison Binkley/Makenna Wolfe (FSU) 21-13, 21-19

#4 Florida State 3, #10 LMU 2

Vilhelmiina Prihti/Michelle Shaffer (LMU) def. Maddie Anderson/Skyler Germann (FSU) 21-15, 21-15
Anna Pelloia/Jacinda Ramirez (LMU) def. Carra Sassack/Audrey Koenig (FSU) 21-19, 21-16
Alexis Durish/Anna Long (FSU) def. Isabelle Reffel/Abbey Thorup (LMU) 21-13, 21-14
Alli Hansen/Makenna Wolfe (FSU) def. Alisha Stevens/Chloe Hooker (LMU) 21-15, 22-24, 15-12
Caitlin Moon/Kaeli Crews (FSU) def. Cassie Chinn/Madi Firnett (LMU) 21-13, 20-22, 15-10

FSU sports information:

Sophomore All-American Lottie Woad finished in a tie for second place in the individual standings, and the No. 20 ranked Florida State Women’s Golf team finished in second place in the team standings as play in the 11th Annual Florida State Match Up at the Seminole Legacy Golf Club ended.

Duke won the team championship with a tournament record low score of 834. The Blue Devils also set a tournament record with a score to par of 30 strokes under par. Duke’s Katie Li won the individual championship with a tournament-record-tying score of 214. She carded scores of 66-66-72. The combination of Duke and Indiana won the match-up competition.

The tournament was played on an adjusted schedule due to expected inclement weather on Sunday. Day one of the Match Up saw the teams play 36 holes, while the remaining 18 holes were played on Saturday.

Florida State earned the second place finish as the Seminoles earned the best scores in the first and third rounds. The Seminoles finished with team scores of 278-281-285 – each of their team scores were completed under par. Florida State finished with a 20 under par score of 844.

With Woad (tied for second), Mirabel Ting (tied for sixth), and Alice Hodge (tied for ninth), the Seminoles and Duke were the only two teams in the 14-team tournament with three players in the top 10 of the final individual standings.

Woad finished with scores of 70-68-69 and finished with a 9 under par score of 207. She finished tied with Rosie Belsham of Baylor. Woad continued to play excellently on the green over the final 18 holes, carding a 207 total, improving her 14th place standing after round two. She recorded 11 birdies during the tournament, five of which came in the final round, earning herself a tied for second finish.

Senior Alice Hodge carded an impressive 4-under to finish in a tie for ninth. Hodge improved from 10th after 36 holes as she recorded four birdies and an eagle in the final round.

Ting had a strong outing the final day of the tournament, carding a three-round total of 5-under of 211, including seven birdies final round. Ting’s tied for sixth finish bests her tied for seventh placement in the 2023 Florida State Match Up, while she was still on the Augusta roster.

Senior Charlotte Heath stayed consistent on day two, earning a tie for 13th placement on a 214 total (-2), recording four birdies in the final round.

Kathrine Cook carded a 76 in the final round, earning herself a tied for 37th finish on an 8-over.

Florida State’s Bella Bugg, Madison Hewlett and Kaylah Williams all competed in individual play in the tournament. Bugg (T40) and Williams (T44) carded totals of 225 and 226, respectively.

Florida State’s next tournament will take place in the Old Barnwell Match Play competition at the Old Barnwell Golf Club in Aiken, South Carolina, hosted by USC. The two-day tournament will take place between Monday, March 25th and Tuesday, March 26th.

11th Annual Florida State Match Up/March 15-16, 2024

Seminole Legacy Golf Club/Tallahassee, Florida/Par 72

2/14.-Florida State, 844

T2.-Lottie Woad, 207

T6.-Mirabel Ting, 211

T9.-Alice Hodge, 212

T13.-Charlotte Heath, 214

T37.-Kat Cook, 224

T40.-Bella Bugg, 225*

T44.-Kaylah Williams, 226*

78.-Madison Hewlett, 147*

11th Annual Florida State Match Up/March 15-16, 2024

Seminole Legacy Golf Club/Tallahassee, Florida/Par 72

1.-Duke, 834

2.-Florida State, 844

3.-Georgia, 859

4.-Baylor, 861

5.-SMU, 871

6.-Ohio State, 874

7.-Alabama, 876

8.-Nebraska, 878

T9.-Indiana, 891

T9.-Kansas, 891

11.-Coastal Carolina, 915

12.-Campbell, 916

13.-Delaware, 923

14.-Daytona St. College, 929

11th Annual Florida State Match Up/March 15-16, 2024

Seminole Legacy Golf Club/Tallahassee, Florida/Par 72

1.-Duke/Indiana – 1,065

3.-Florida State/OSU – 1072

2.-SMU/Baylor – 1073

4.-UGA/Daytona – 1,099

5.-Alabama/Kansas – 1,103

6.-Nebraska/Campbell – 1,122

7.-Coastal/Delaware – 1,056

The last undefeated team in Division I, FSU (16-0) will play host to Notre Dame in game 2 of their series on Saturday at 3 p.m. (ACC Network Extra).

FSU will start LHP Jamie Arnold (4-0, 0.00 ERA). The sophomore has 32 strikeouts in 22 innings. A good stat here from FSU: Batters are 0 for 8 when Arnold has a runner on third base.

Notre Dame will throw RHP Matt Bedford (1-2, 5.28 ERA).

FSU had 13 hits last night in an 8-4 win to open the series.

We'll have updates pregame and chat during this afternoon's game below.

FSU sports information:

The No. 18 Florida State softball team (17-7, 0-1 ACC) fell to No. 4 Duke (21-1, 0-1) by a score of 10-5 on Friday night at the Seminole Softball Complex.

Duke scored the runs first 10 runs of the game after putting up runs in the first, third, fourth, fifth and sixth innings. FSU's bats got going in the bottom of the sixth inning as Jahni Kerr made her return after being out for five games due to injury with a leadoff double. Back-to-back walks loaded the bases for the Noles, and Jaysoni Beachum reached on a fielder's choice to put the first run on the board for the Noles. Kalei Harding and Amaya Ross each added singles to put two more runs on the board for the Noles, and Hallie Wacaser earned a sacrifice fly to score Harding.

FSU added one more run in the bottom of the seventh thanks to another RBI single from Kalei Harding, but the rally would end there. Harding finished the night 2-for-4 with two RBI to lead the Noles.

The two teams will meet again Saturday at 1 p.m. on ACCNX.

As a part of Alumni Weekend, FSU will be honoring Team 31 on Saturday for their run to the Women's College World Series in 2014.

Two pertinent paragraphs and a full story from Yahoo's Ross Dellenger:

Executives from the 10 FBS conferences and Notre Dame agreed Friday to a new contract with ESPN that will begin in 2026, coming to terms on a new revenue-distribution model and protections related to a future playoff format. The news was expected after Big 12 and ACC presidents voted Wednesday to authorize their commissioners to adopt the new framework. The two conferences were viewed as most reluctant to agree to a framework that puts them at a financial disadvantage.

A playoff format is not expected to be finalized until a later date, though protections and guarantees related to a 12- or 14-team format are part of the agreement. The champions of the four major conferences and the highest ranked Group of Five champion will earn an automatic qualifying spot into any playoff.

Jaime Arnold’s velocity is up, at times hitting 96 mph. And while he gave up his first run of the season, in start No. 5 on Saturday, Arnold had one of his best outings in his Florida State career.

The sophomore left-hander had a career-best 12 strikeouts and didn’t give up a walk or hit a batter in 5.2 innings, helping the Seminoles take a 4-2 win over Notre Dame on Saturday afternoon.

Arnold threw 102 pitches (65 strikes) on a warm day and has thrown five or more innings in all five of his starts this season. He gave up his first earned run of 2024 in the third inning after allowing just an unearned run in the opener against Butler on Feb. 18.

What a difference a year has made for Arnold, his velocity and confidence. He had 49 strikeouts in 24 games (eight starts) in 2023 and now has 44 strikeouts in mid-March.

I have played and watched a lot of sports and always been a big supporter of Lonnie.
Just don't understand when Reid looks to have finally found her dominant self it is a good idea to take her out against the #4 team in the country when she has given up 1 hit and 1 walk in 5 innings and thrown just 67 pitchers and up 4 to 0?

Hey all,

I know we're excited that FSU kicks off spring football next Tuesday and I have to imagine you are as well. Quite a different feeling from last spring with so many unknowns, new faces and questions that will need to be answered.

Before spring football begins, the Osceola staff is going to answer any questions you may have about the team entering the spring. We obviously haven't seen the team in action yet (may do something like this again after a few practices) but send in any questions you have about this FSU team below and we'll answer them tomorrow in the thread with our thoughts.

Ryan Fitzgerald announced in December that he would return to Florida State for a fifth season. A month later, so did Alex Mastromanno. And with it, concerns about who would kick and punt for FSU in 2024 went away.

Fitzgerald’s struggles of 2022, rooted in tinkering with his mechanics and adjusting his steps, are long since in the rear-view mirror. He made 19 of 21 field-goal attempts last fall as well as every extra-point attempt, earning recognition as a Lou Groza Award semifinalist.

Mastromanno has been consistent throughout his career, but 2023 was his best in terms of yards per punt (45.5) and 26 of his punts pinned an opponent inside the 20-yard line. FSU enjoyed a 43.2-yard net punt average, showing Mastromanno's value as a rugby-style punter as well as the Seminoles who run down to tackle returners when there is not a fair catch.

FSU coach Mike Norvell, special teams coordinator John Papuchis and the staff were able to turn their attention to finding return options, landing an accomplished kick returner in Jaylin Lucas out of the transfer portal, as well as focus on offense and defense.

We wrap up the Osceola's spring football preview series with a look at FSU's specialists.

The non-conference schedule to open the season has concluded and Florida State (15-0) takes a perfect record into their first ACC series of the season against Notre Dame (10-5).

The Irish, of course, are FSU Head Coach Link Jarrett's former institution before he took the Florida State job last season. The Seminoles were swept by the Irish last year but in terms of this season, FSU is coming off a rivalry win against Florida while Notre Dame got swept by Virginia Tech last weekend.

For Florida State, Cam Leiter (3-0, 2.70 ERA) takes the mound against Notre Dame's Tobey McDonough (1-1, 5.62 ERA).

Here are the rest of your starting lineups for Friday night. All things as expected on that front.

FSU drops to 17-6 with a loss to Alabama. Now ACC play begins:

FSU sports information:

14 former Florida State women's soccer players are set to begin their NWSL seasons this weekend as the NWSL season will kick off on Saturday at 1 p.m. on ABC with the KC Current and the Portland Thorns taking the pitch.

The Seminoles are represented on nine NWSL teams (NC Courage, Bay FC, Washington Spirit, Utah Royals FC, Racing Louisville FC, Chicago Red Stars, Orlando Pride, NJ/NY Gotham). Two Seminoles return to the reigning NWSL champs as Jenna Nighswonger and Cassie Miller will each take the pitch for NJ/NY Gotham this season.

Nighswonger was one of NWSL's biggest breakout stars last season as she was named the NWSL Rookie of the Year. Spending most her time in the midfielder and forward positions at Florida State, Nighswonger was called on to play the defender role for Gotham throughout the 2023 season. Nighswonger excelled at the position helping Gotham to its first NWSL Championship. Nighswonger also was named to the U.S. Women's National Team for the Gold Cup which the U.S. won. Nighswonger scored two goals for the U.S. during the tournament. Casey Krueger was also named to the USWNT with Nighswonger for the Gold Cup.

The Seminoles had three players drafted this past season in Lauren Flynn (Utah Royals FC), Leilanni Nesbeth (Chicago Red Stars) and Cristina Roque (Utah Royals FC). All three players were signed to their respective teams and will all appear on their respective opening day rosters.

NWSL Noles
Malia Berkely - NC Courage
Deyna Castellanos - Bay FC
Gabby Carle - Washington Spirit
Lauren Flynn - Utah Royals FC
Jaelin Howell - Racing Louisville FC
Casey Krueger - Washington Spirit
Natalia Kuikka - Chicago Red Stars
Emily Madril - Orlando Pride
Cassie Miller - NY/NJ Gotham
Leilanni Nesbeth - Chicago Red Stars
Jenna Nighswonger - NY/NJ Gotham
Carson Pickett - Racing Louisville FC
Clara Robbins - NC Courage
Cristina Roque - Utah Royals FC

Feels like an FSU/Auburn battle but we'll see:

We close the book on our FSU football defensive position group previews with a look at the Seminoles' secondary.

Even with a few key losses off last year's team, there's plenty of returning production and promising replacement DB candidates this spring.

FSU sports information:

The No. 18 Florida State softball team (17-6, 0-0) will open up ACC play this weekend when they host No. 4 Duke (20-1, 3-0) to JoAnne Graf Field. The two teams will play at 6 p.m. on Friday, 1 p.m. on Saturday and noon on Sunday. All games can be seen live on ACC Network Extra with Ariya Massouid (Play by Play) and former FSU softball player Alex Powers (Color) on the call.

Alumni Weekend

• This weekend, Florida State will welcome back 40 former players to JoAnne Graf Field for "Alumni Weekend."
• 2024 also marks the 10-year anniversary for the 2014 Women's College World Series team that will be honored on Saturday.
• The 2014 team was Coach Alameda's first WCWS team at Florida State. FSU lost the first game of the Tallahassee Super Regional 17-3 to Michigan and came back to win a doubleheader and clinched their spot in Oklahoma City thanks to a Courtney Senas walk-off home run.
• The 2014 team was also ACC Regular Season and Tournament Champions with a 55-9 record. Lacey Waldrop was also named the USA Softball National Player of the Year.

No-Hitter Luck on St. Patrick's Day

• Sunday marks St. Patrick's Day and the Seminoles have had some great luck on the diamond in recent years.
• The past two times FSU has played on St. Patrick's Day, a no-hitter has been thrown. Kathryn Sandercock did it in 2023 against Syracuse and Meghan King did it in 2019 against Notre Dame.
• FSU has won the last eight times they have played on St. Patrick's Day.

Dominance in the ACC

• Florida State has been on top of the ACC for the past decade.
• FSU has won eight out of the last nine ACC Tournament Championships and seven out of the last nine ACC Regular Season Championships.
• FSU has lost just one ACC series in the last four seasons and have lost just four ACC series since 2012. FSU has only lost one ACC series at JoAnne Graf Field since 2012.

In the Middle of a Gauntlet

• Over the course of a week, Florida State is slated to host 5 total games at the Seminole Softball Complex, all against teams in the top 15.
• This will be just the second time in school history that FSU has played five consecutive games at the Seminole Softball Complex against top 15 opponents and the third time that FSU has played five consecutive games at home against ranked opponents.
• FSU fell to No. 15 Alabama on Wednesday night at the Seminole Softball Complex

Success When it Matters Most

• When the moment is big, the Seminoles have had great success in recent history, especially at home.
• FSU is 17-5 in their last 22 games against ranked opponents.
• FSU is 8-3 against ranked opponents at JoAnne Graf Field since the start of the 2022 season.

A True Home Field Advantage

• The Seminole Softball Complex has become one of the toughest places to play in the country in recent history.
• Since the start of the 2019 season, FSU is 135-18 at the Seminole Softball Complex.
• In the past two seasons, FSU is 47-5 at the Seminole Softball Complex.

Fast Start for the Offense

• The Florida State offense has been one of the best in the country through the first 20 games of the season.
• FSU is averaging 7.87 runs per game which is the best in the ACC and is fifth in the country. FSU is hitting .342 as a team which ranks 13th in the country.
• FSU has scored 181 runs through 23 games this season which is the most runs through 23 games in the fast pitch era of FSU softball and is the most since 1978.
• In 23 games, FSU has scored 8 or more runs in 15 games. In 69 games last season, FSU scored eight or more runs just 22 times.
• FSU has scored 10 or more runs in six games so far this season after accomplishing that feat just eight times last season.
• 14 players have recorded a hit this season and four players (Beachum, Kerr, Ross and Edenfield) are all hitting above .370.

My Oh Amaya

• Fans have known the name Amaya Ross for awhile but mainly for her insane speed on the base paths. Now, Ross has found herself in the FSU lineup for more than just her speed.
• Ross has started all 23 games this season after making just 18 starts the past two seasons.
• Ross had one of the best weeks of her career at the Dugout Club Classic.
• In six games, Ross recorded 10 hits in 15 at-bats (.667) with six RBI and three triples.
• Ross was involved in 17 out of the Seminoles 47 runs scored in the Dugout Club Classic and was a perfect 5-for-5 on the base paths.
• Ross's four triples is tied for third in the country.
• Ross is eighth in the country with 16 stolen bases this season.
• Ross is the only player in the ACC to steal 15+ bases without being caught and is one of five players in the country and one of two players among power five conferences to steal 15+ bases without being caught.
• Ross is third on the team with a .400 batting average.
• Ross has stolen 43 bases in 46 attempts over the course of her career.

A Top 10 Shutout

• In the first game of the Clearwater Invitational, the Seminole pitching shut down No. 9 Stanford in a 4-0 win.
• Allison Royalty and Ashtyn Danley combined for a complete game shutout while allowing just five hits while striking out two.
• The shutout against Stanford was just the third time since 2018 that FSU had shut out a top 10 opponent.
• FSU was one of just two teams to shut out their opponent at the Clearwater Invitational joining Stanford who had a 1-0 win over Tennessee.

Tallahassee Native Jaysoni Beachum clicking on all cylinders

• Beachum, a native of Tallahassee, leads the team with a .467 batting average and 35 hits.
• Jaysoni Beachum has continued to be one of the biggest bright spots for the Noles to start the season.
• Beachum has hit six home runs and driven in a team high 25 runs.
• Beachum has recorded a hit in 20 out of the Seminoles' 23 games this season.
• In her last eight games, Beachum has hit five home runs and driven in 11 runs.
• Beachum has the third-highest batting average among freshmen in the country and the 25th highest batting average in the country.
• Beachum has had two multi-home run games this season. Beachum is the first true freshman since Kalei Harding in 2021 to have a multi-home run game.
• Beachum has also locked down the hot corner for the Noles making 22 starts at the positions. Beachum has committed just two errors this season.

Ocho's Hot Start

• Few had a hotter start to the season than Kalei Harding this season.
• Harding is currently hitting .329 with 22 RBI and four home runs.
• Against UCLA, Harding recorded four hits in five at-bats which was tied for a career high. Harding was the first FSU player since Kaley Mudge in 2021 at the Women's College World Series against Alabama to record four or more hits.
• Against Charlotte, Harding hit two home runs, one being a grand slam, on her way to a seven RBI game.
• Her seven RBI tied Anna Shelnutt (2017) for the school record for RBI in a single game.
• Harding is tied for fourth all-time in school history for career doubles (49), tied for sixth in school history for career home runs (36), sixth for career RBI (165) and eighth in school history for career slugging percentage (.572).

Torres Finds Groove in the Box and in the Field

• Replacing Josie Muffley is no easy task, but freshman Isa Torres has given her best shot and is off to a great start offensively and defensively for the Noles at the shortstop position.
• Torres is hitting .351 with 159 RBI and has made countless jaw dropping plays at shortstop including a Sportscenter Top 10 catch against Stanford at the Clearwater Invitational.
• Torres brought home seven runs this past weekend at the FGCU Spring Break Classic.
• Torres came through in the bottom of the seventh against Texas Tech as she hit a walk-off single to take down the Red Raiders on Feb. 10.

Reid Gaining Confidence in the Circle

• As one of the top freshman pitchers in 2023, Makenna Reid has begun to find her groove in the circle in 2024 after a tough start.
• Reid has yet to take a loss as Seminole and is a perfect 17-0 in the circle .
• In her last six appearances, Reid has pitched 20.2 innings while allowing just four earned runs and striking out 20 batters.
• In her first 9.1 innings at the FGCU Spring Break Classic, Reid allowed just two hits while striking out 10 and not allowing a run.
• In 2023, Reid was one of just three pitchers last season to not suffer a loss joining Alex Storako and Nicole May from Oklahoma.
• Reid was one of just five players to post a sub 1.00 ERA last season.
• Reid was the first Seminole since Sarah Hamilton in 2009 to finish with a sub 1.00 ERA.

Sunday at the Tucker Center. Doors open at 7:30 p.m., autograph session and then the show begins at 8 p.m.

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FSU sports information:

The Florida State outdoor track and field teams will start the season at two different venues.

The Seminoles will compete in throwing and distance events at the Bob Hayes Invitational in Jacksonville, Fla. Competition is expected to start at 9.a.m. on Friday with the men’s hammer throw. Live results will be available.

The sprint and jumps group will compete at the Hurricane Invitational in Coral Gables, Fla. The women’s long jump will start at 4. p.m. on Friday. Live timing will be available.

LAST TIME OUT

The Seminoles ended their indoor season on March 9 at the NCAA Indoor Track and Field National Championship in Boston.

The men’s team tied for 15th place with 14 points, scoring in two events.

Jeremiah Davis concluded his indoor stint, placing second in the long jump (8.20) and third in the triple jump (16.60m).

Jordan Turner placed 13th in the long jump with a leap of 7.31m, earning second-team All-America.

David Mullarkey placed 11th in the 3,000 meters (7:55.42), securing second-team All-America after being seeded 14th coming into the event.

Dajaz DeFrand and Shenese Walker represented the women’s team as DeFrand captured second team All-America honors placing ninth in the 60 (7.24) and 11th in the 200 (23.08).

Walker finished fifth with a lifetime best, tying the fifth-fastest time in school history at (7.19), securing first-team All-America for the first time in her career. It was the highest finish for a Nole since 2019 when Ka’Tia Seymour placed third.

Bob Hayes Invitational
Meet Schedule: https://bitly.ws/3cxNW
Live Results: https://bitly.ws/3crCQ

Miami Hurricane Invitational
Meet Schedule:https://bitly.ws/3cxNW
Live Results: https://bitly.ws/3crCQ

The FSU baseball team kicks off ACC play this weekend at home vs. Notre Dame with the best team batting average and earned run average in the conference this season. They'll also have their full weekend rotation starting together for the first time this season after Conner Whittaker moved back from the midweek starter role to his Sunday spot.

Leonard Hamilton: Congratulations to Carolina. I thought they had a great defensive plan. At the beginning of the game, made it very difficult for us to initiate our offense. It's kudos to them for having a much more aggressive plan.

I thought our plan was to drive the ball and get to the free-throw line, and that's what we attempted to do, but our inability to do that at least for the first 12 minutes of the game, not being able to get to the free-throw line, was definitely out of our plans.

But our goal at the beginning was obviously minimize the effect on the boards, and that was unsuccessful.

Hopefully not giving them easy buckets in transition, and that was somewhat challenging for us.

My point is that I thought we got beat by a team that played better than us. I thought they were much more aggressive, much more physical, and when you get in a tournament like that, teams who have that level of confidence who are in sync together with their teammates and with their system I think play a game like what they played against us today.

We've been on the other side of it enough, so you have to compliment them for the effort that they put in, the togetherness, the passion that they played with representing their school, and I thought they did a great job against us at the end. We've just got to come back and regroup and develop back into the way we've always been.

You would have coached against Bacot like a million times over five years. What stands out about him as a player and his career which is kind of --

HAMILTON: Well, today I thought he was the best version of himself. This is the best game I think he played against us, the most consistent for 40 minutes. He's a big strong youngster. He's strong, and he's savvy. He's either sealing you to open up lane for drives or he's going to the offensive boards.

A lot of times with players, they want to be what they need to improve on. He is locked into being the best version of him, being physical, strong, opening up lanes for his teammates, rebounding and shooting a high percentage. Today I thought he did a good job when he did have to switch to contain the dribble, which showed that he's made a big improvement with his ability laterally to contain dribbles, which puts him in a whole 'nother position.

He's doing those little things that sometimes people don't like to do. They call it the dirty work. But he loves the physicality, and he's always focused on rebounding and getting himself in position to do that. That just says about the growth that he's gone through since he's been at Carolina.

Leonard, how crucial was it in the first half that Carolina got into the bonus so early? You talked about you trying to get there. They got there and I believe had 12 free throws the first half.

Hamilton: (Laughing) That's interesting. You noticed that too, huh?

I just think that it was -- the officiating the game of basketball is tremendously difficult. If you called every foul and every touch, the game won't have a flow. I said earlier, our inability to get to the free-throw line hurt us a lot, especially in the first half.

As a coach you wonder, but you know there are games where maybe the whistle might go your way sometimes. It's just hard to figure out sometimes, so I just have to give them kudos for their ability to draw fouls and our inability to draw fouls.

I thought we tried to attack. I thought there was contact. But in basketball that's just the way the game goes. Officiating is part of the game, and sometimes I'm amazed at how accurate they are, the number of opportunities they have to make calls. But I think they have a big to do with the game.

You have faced five different Carolina head coaches over multiple decades. What is different about facing the Hubert Davis Tar Heels?

Hamilton: Really? I didn't realize that.

You've got Coach Smith for a long time, probably with you at several schools. You've got Coach Guthridge, Coach Dougherty, Coach Williams, and Hubert. That would be five, right?

Hamilton: Hubert brings a passion to the club that is impressive. He has the ability in my opinion, what I've seen, the players feed off of his energy.

It's very difficult as a coach, especially when you're just getting started, to develop your culture. There's a lot of tradition at North Carolina. I grew up in North Carolina. I'm kind of part of it.

I remember Bones McKinney and everybody who's been in the league for many, many years. I grew up an ACC fan.

But North Carolina represents the best of college basketball and how they've conducted themselves over the years and the standard that Dean Smith set for many, many years, and I think that they play -- Hubert has them playing with that level of pride that the school and the community deserves.

In order to do that, you have to connect with your team, and you've got to have a relationship. It's not always easy to get players to do things that require a lot of effort. In other words, unfortunately, none of us want to be uncomfortable, and nobody wants to be hot, nobody wants to be cold. Nobody wants to be tired. Nobody wants to push themselves when they're a little fatigued. So you have to have a relationship with your players that they relate to you because they have to be comfortable being uncomfortable.

I think that Hubert has the ability -- the relationship with his guys where he's challenging them to be better than what they could be because they're responding to his instruction, and that's the makings of a great coach and a great program.

You said that your team wasn't able to fully execute in the first 12 minutes, but you kept it close at the start, down by just three with about five minutes left in the first half, then North Carolina went on its run. What changed in the last couple of minutes?

Hamilton: If I remember correctly, they came off the bench with their rotation guys, and those guys came in fresh, and I think maybe we didn't quite have as deep a bench. They had more energy, and I think for that three or four-minute period is where they got their confidence back because they had those two possessions where they got three rebounds in each possession, and we seemed to not be able to match their energy in that period, and once we got down, it was hard for us to get back.

Warley: I just think they played harder than us during that stretch, so I feel like it was hard for us to get back in a good position and win it.

FSU (17-15) is coming off an 86-76 win over Virginia Tech on Wednesday and on about 22 hours' rest turns around and faces No. 1 seed North Carolina in an ACC Tournament quarterfinal on Thursday at noon (ESPN). Dan Shulman, Jay Bilas and Jess Sims will be on the call.

Jamir Watkins scored 34 points vs. VT, which is the most by an FSU player in an ACC Tournament game. His double-double was the 11th in school history in an ACC Tournament game.

UNC has won four straight games in the series. The Tar Heels took a 75-68 win in Tallahassee in January and a 78-70 win in Chapel Hill in December. FSU had a sizable lead in the second half of the December game. RJ Davis has scored 27 points and 24 points in those games.

The rebounding margin is often a storyline in games vs. UNC. The Tar Heels won the rebounding battle 41-32 in January and 39-30 in December.

Here's a good chart from FSU sports info on double-doubles in ACC Tournament games:

Don’t worry about those silly humans and their polls - they’ll figure out we’re really good soon enough too…

College Baseball RPI Rankings

Audio version of a 25-minute FSU baseball discussion with Nick Carlisle, Curt Weiler and I.

We'll have the video version later today on our YouTube channel, too: