Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
FSU players believe the culture has changed
No player took Florida State’s early exit from the NCAA Tournament more to heart than standout freshman Jonathan Isaac.
After fouling out with eight points and 12 rebounds near the end of FSU’s 25-point loss to Xavier on Saturday at Amway Center, Isaac believed he could have done more to change the outcome.
Isaac was more concerned with disappointing his teammates, including sophomore guard Dwayne Bacon, third-year guard Xavier Rathan-Mayes and senior centers Michael Ojo and Jarquez Smith, than himself after what potentially could have been the final game of his college career.
“It’s devastating for me,” Isaac said as he sulked at his locker after the game.
“What hurts me the most, guys like Bacon, Ojo, X and 'Quez that weren’t able to get here last year. For me not to do enough, it hurts really badly, and I know they must be feeling worse than I’m feeling right now.”
Before leaving the locker rooms, Ojo posed for a photo with his thumbs up one last time in his No. 50 Florida State jersey to savor the moment.
Smith, eyes red and glossy after the loss, said leaving his teammates and coaches behind after the season is going to be the hardest for him.
Ojo and Smith finished their FSU careers two games into their first NCAA Tournament appearance. The same could also be true for Isaac and Bacon after FSU’s 91-66 loss to Xavier in the round of 32.
Florida State enters the offseason with moving parts that need to be settled before building on a new culture the players believe they created this season.
The Seminoles (26-9) finished 18-0 at home, placed second in the Atlantic Coast Conference standings, played their first NCAA Tournament game in five years and closed one win shy of tying a school record with 27 wins.
“I see a lot of positive things, and I also know the future is really bright,” FSU coach Leonard Hamilton said. “We have a great core of young guys returning and an outstanding recruiting year. I think that we’re on the right track.
“We have to learn from this game, grow mentally and emotionally, take a little time off, and start preparing ourselves for areas we need to improve for the upcoming season.”
Isaac, a potential NBA lottery draft pick, and Bacon, a first-round talent who returned to FSU to improve his draft stock during his sophomore season, are budding NBA prospects who could decide to turn professional instead of returning for another year with the Seminoles.
With their emotions still high, both players did not want to discuss their potential futures after the game.
“I enjoyed the time with him if this is his last year,” Bacon said of Isaac. “And if it’s not, I enjoyed playing with him no matter what. He’s been a great player for us.”
FSU frequently rotated 12 players this season to build depth and prepare for a deep NCAA Tournament run.
Now, the Seminoles hope the experience gained will help Braian AngolaRodas, C.J. Walker, Trent Forrest, Christ Koumadje step into greater roles next season.
“When you look back on everything we’ve done, there’s nothing to be but proud,” Isaac said. “I’m proud to be on the team that changed Florida State’s culture and changed Florida State in the eyes of a lot of people.”