IrishIllustrated.com - It's now or never time for FSU to make a run

February 20, 2007

On Wednesday night, Florida State (17-10, 5-8 ACC) travels to the Comcast Center to take on Maryland (20-7, 6-6 ACC) with a 9:00 p.m. tip-off. The Seminoles will be looking to end a four game skid that began on the road against Clemson when starting point guard Toney Douglas suffered a broken hand.

Two of those recent losses against Boston College and Virginia came down to the final seconds, and the Georgia Tech game could gone either way, but FSU fell short every time. With the those close losses, FSU now finds itself in a must-win situation against the Terrapins.

"We have had a run of games that we played very close right down to the end and in these last three games we have come up short," Hamilton said of the losses. "We are trying to find ways to compensate for the loss of our point guard and we haven't quite figured it out yet.

"We are playing close enough to win games but now we just have to get over the hump. We are extremely positive. We are looking forward. We have confidence. We realize now that our backs are totally against the wall and we have got to get busy and win games."

What Florida State hasn't been able to figure the past two weeks is how to replace Douglas' 13.1 points per game. Without the sophomore from Jonesboro, Georgia running the point, the offense has suffered a significant drop-off. Including the February 7th Clemson game when Douglas broke his hand, the 'Noles have averaged just 63 points a game. In the nine ACC games prior that loss, FSU held a 5-4 conference record and averaged 77 points a game.

Although Douglas is out of his cast and is making progress, he won't be in the lineup tonight against the Terrapins. With FSU now sitting at 5-8 in the ACC, they must find a way to score more points and pull out a victory against Maryland if they hope to keep alive dreams of an the NCAA tournament berth. To do that, players other than Al Thornton will need to provide more of a scoring punch.

"I know that we are in a position now where there is a clear cut understanding of whatever we have got, we need it from everybody, every game," Hamilton said. "Al Thornton has raised his game. What we need is a couple of other guys to step up and raise the level of their games in order for us to be in a good position as we come down the homestretch here with three games remaining."

Thornton has certainly raised his game as shown by his 30-point, and career-high 16 rebound effort against Virginia. The issue has been his supporting cast. Other than Isaiah Swann, who has averaged over 16 points per game over the last three, nobody else on the roster has elevated their game to make up for the loss of Douglas. In fact, junior guard Jason Rich, who is averaging 11 points on the season, averaged just 5.5 points in the last two losses.

Having their collective backs against the wall is nothing new for Florida State. Last season at this time, the 'Noles were in a similar situation but were able finish the regular season winning four of five. If FSU is going to make another late run, junior guard Ralph Mims, who has taken over the point in Douglas' absence, will be a key.

Since Douglas has been out of the lineup, Mims has started each of the last three games at point. In those three games, he is averaging 5.3 points, 3.0 assists, and 2.7 rebounds. While those numbers are modest, Mims feels that he must raise his level of play for the entire team.

"I have to be more aggressive going to the basket," Mims said. "Al is a hell of a player but at the same time, me, Isaiah (Swann), Jason (Rich), and other players have to make it easier for Al. We have to create for him and create for other teammates.

"I have to be more productive. I don't have to go out and score 20 points but I have to be more aggressive getting to the rack, getting my teammates the ball, and getting my teammates involved."

In addition to getting more offensive production from players like Mims, Rich and Uche Echefu, more opportunities at the free throw line would help increase FSU's scoring. The Seminoles are shooting a team record 78.1 percent from the line which leads not only the ACC, but is the top percentage for the entire nation. The only problem is that the 'Noles are averaging just 19 trips to the charity strip per game.

Wednesday's game will be televised by Lincoln Financial/Raycom Sports.