FSU heading to NCAAs on sour note

GREENSBORO, N.C. — The only thing Florida State can do now is sit and wait.

It's a lot easier than in years past. But that wait still started earlier than the Seminoles hoped, or expected.

Unlike its NCAA Tournament drought from 1999 to 2008, FSU (22-9) is not waiting on the NIT after its surprising quarterfinal-round exit from the ACC tournament late Friday. That wasn't much consolation after the third-seeded Seminoles' poor offensive performance during a 58-52 loss to 11th seed N.C. State.

FSU never quite recovered after falling behind by nine midway through the second half. It was an unceremonious exit for a team that upset eventual national champion North Carolina in last year's semifinals before falling to Duke in the championship game.

"There were a lot of areas where we were just not up to par," FSU coach Leonard Hamilton said. "I thought that each time we faltered, North Carolina State took advantage of it."

The same offensive problems that plagued FSU throughout the season came together all at once. Like turnovers — FSU had 20. And poor perimeter shooting (3 of 18 3-pointers). And suspect free-throw shooting (9-of-17).

"(We) never seemed to get into a rhythm," Hamilton said.

In past seasons, an early ACC tournament loss often signaled the end of the Seminoles' season. But afterward, Hamilton talked about preparing his team for the NCAA Tournament.

The Seminoles finished 10-6 in the league. No team that has gone 10-6 in the ACC has ever been left out of the NCAA Tournament since it expanded in 1985 to 64 teams. But instead of going in with momentum, FSU will enter it searching for answers and offense.

"Ain't no comfort comes with this," freshman guard Michael Snaer said.