Seminoles just glad to be back in tourney
FSU reached Sweet 16 twice before COVID-19
Florida State guard M.J. Walker is excited to be back in the NCAA Tournament, and the senior isn’t taking anything for granted after what’s happened over the past year.
“It’s a blessing honestly,” Walker said. “To be back in this position, I feel like it’s been so long. It’s only been a year, but it’s a blessing to be here.”
No. 4-seed Florida State (16-6, 11-4 ACC) takes on No. 13 UNC Greensboro (21-8, 13-5 Southern) on Saturday in the first round of the East Region of the NCAA Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Tipoff is set for 12:45 ET, with the game airing on truTV.
This is the eighth time the Seminoles have qualified for the NCAA Tournament under longtime coach Leonard Hamilton and the fourth consecutive season. It would have been the fifth straight year, but the coronavirus pandemic forced the cancellation of the tournament last season.
FSU made the Sweet 16 in the 2018 and 2019 tournaments., advancing to the Elite 8 in 2018.
This year’s tournament is unlike any other. Regional sites are located in or near Indianapolis to create a bubble for the teams involved. Previous sports bubbles — the NBA, MLS, NWSL and others — succeeded at stifling the virus during competition.
Walker already noticed a different atmosphere at this year’s event.
“The vibe feels like the AAU Tournament at the end of the year, where all the teams across the country come together to play for a championship,” said Walker, who earned second-team All-ACC honors this season after leading the team in scoring with 13 points per game.
FSU finished the regular season as road warriors, playing six of its last seven games away from the friendly confines of the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center. Despite being a bit battered and bruised, Hamilton said his team is no worse for wear.
“If this is how tough it’s going to be to win a national championship, I think we can deal with this,” said Hamilton, 72. “I think we can handle this.
“If you’re a basketball player and you’re competitive, this is the most exciting time of your life. This can’t do anything but rejuvenate your spirits. We have another chance to play for a title. You have to be excited about that.
“I don’t think there’s any doubt we’ll be focused and that we’re taking this opportunity seriously.”
UNC Greensboro secured a spot in the tournament as an automatic qualifier after winning the Southern Conference for the second time in the last four seasons. The Spartans have won four straight games and six of their past seven.