Florida State’s Elite Eight run is shocking. This is how it’s happened

The Florida State Seminoles are moving on to the Elite Eight - for the first time since 1993 - with a 75-60 win over the No. 4 seed Gonzaga. In an NCAA tournament that has been wacky at best and utterly bonkers at worst, seeing the Seminoles in the Elite Eight as a No. 9 seed isn’t that crazy. This FSU team has knocked off Michael Porter and Mizzou, the No. 1 seed Xavier and now the Zags, last year’s runner up.

They’re good shooters (48%) from the field, but not great. They’re okay from three (35%), but not flame throwers. Florida State has been unimpressive at times, but have some incredible potential.

So, how is this happening?

Florida State finished tied for eighth in the ACC with a 9-9 conference record and earned the No. 9 seed in the conference tournament. They fell to Louisville in their opening game of the ACC tournament, trailing mightily for the majority of the game.

FSU finished the season losing three of its last five games, and six of the final 10. Throughout the season, the Noles were inconsistent. In wins over North Carolina, Clemson, Virginia Tech, and Miami, they looked like a tournament team.

Losses to Boston College, Wake Forest, and a Bonzie Colson-less Notre Dame were head scratchers.

Now, we’re seeing what FSU can do when they combine three point shooting with their length.

Speaking of...

The Seminoles are the second tallest team in the tournament, behind only Duke. They have three guys at 6-5 or under and two that check in at seven feet or taller. Center Christ Koumadje is 7-4.

Before the season started, Coach Hamilton talked at ACC Media Day about how the roles on their team are loose, and he was comfortable with any number of his players bringing the ball down as a point guard. They’re difficult to guard with MJ Walker, Terrence Mann, and Brian Angola (all 6-6) all capable of driving or pulling up for a jumper. Throw in 6-8 Phil Cofer as a wrench, and they keep you honest with the quick 6-1 guard CJ Walker.

Matchup problem is an understatement when it comes to the Noles.

Woooo, boy is Coach Hamilton willing to go into his bench. In Thursday’s win over Gonzaga the Noles got 30 points off their bench (compared to just six from the Zags). Eleven total players saw game action for the Seminoles. Just before the half, Brandon Allen hit a floater to give the Noles a nine-point lead.

Who is Brandon Allen, you ask? Oh, just a 26 year old former minor league baseball player who played 92 minutes all season. He only chipped in two minutes in the Sweet Sixteen win, but made the only shot he took all game and showed that Hamilton will use his depth and trusts his players. All of them.

Everyone contributes, and anyone can have a big night. “We believe we can win a game by committee,” Coach Hamilton said in the postgame interview.

With Loyola-Chicago in the Elite Eight, the Seminoles certainly aren’t the biggest Cinderella story of this 2018 season, but they are far exceeding expectations. Next up, the Noles will clash with Michigan on Saturday.