The basketball team, now without Isaiah Swann, who tore his ACL to end his career as a Seminole two weeks ago. The injury came right as the team started to get healthy.
Otherwise it's been close loss after close loss. OT loss to Clemson that they led in the final seconds before giving up an uncontested 3-pointer. Close loss to Duke, close loss to North Carolina, close loss to N.C. State...on and on and on.
Record: 14-10
ACC Record: 3-6
Next Game: Thursday at home vs. Wake Forest
Last Game: 62-55 win at Miami
Best Victory: 65-51 win at Florida
Worst Loss: 74-57 loss at Wake Forest
Estimated No. of victories for NIT Berth: 18
Estimated No. of victories for NCAA Berth: 21
Regular Season Games Remaining: 7
Strength: Recent emergence of Toney Douglas and guard play in general.
Weaknesses: Numerous lapses on defense and the loss of Isaiah Swann has killed this team. A lack of size doesn't help either.
Outlook: FSU must win at least 3 of the next four game (vs. Wake, at Maryland, vs. Clemson and vs. Boston College), with three of those games at home, it should be possible. The final three games are much more difficult with road trips against N.C. State and North Carolina along with a home finale against Miami.
Right now my estimate for an NCAA berth is 21 victories. But if the Seminoles can finish the season 19-12 and win a first-round ACC tournament game a 20-win season and an 8-8 conference record should be enough to get FSU threw the back door.