FSU Hoops: Top 5 Moments from 2017-18

A Final Four trip wasn’t in the cards for Florida State as the Seminoles came up just short in the West Region Final against Michigan over the weekend, 58-54.

Still, FSU enjoyed an outstanding season, which culminated in its first Elite Eight appearance in 25 years. The Seminoles hit their stride early and found it again late during a campaign in which they finished 23-12 and 9-9 in ACC play.

Remembering the year that was for FSU on the hardwood, we look back at the signature moments. Here’s a look at the top 5:

5. Valentine’s Day Comeback
Clemson 79, FSU 81 (Overtime)
Feb. 14, 2018
Florida State’s NCAA Tournament chances appeared to be slipping away on Feb. 14 against 11th-ranked Clemson. FSU was 6-7 in ACC play and in desperate need of a win at home. Early on, things were bleak. The Seminoles trailed 41-29 at halftime and fell behind by 19 early in the second half. FSU made a furious rally to draw even and force overtime on a basket by Trent Forrest with nine seconds remaining. Forrest scored six of FSU’s 11 points in the extra period including the shot that put the Seminoles ahead for good in a hard-fought victory — the 300th for head coach Leonard Hamilton at Florida State.

4. Angola’s Senior Day Surprise
Boston College 76, FSU 85
March 3, 2018
One of three seniors to walk the Donald L. Tucker Center floor before the regular season finale against Boston College, Braian Angola got an unexpected surprise before the game. As Angola was being honored, his mother, who had flown from his native Colombia, showed up to watch him play for the first time in years. Seeing his mom brought tears to Angola’s eyes in what would be his final game in Tallahassee. Angola went on to score a team-high 21 points on 8-for-10 shooting in a much-needed win over Boston College.

3. Sweet 16 Beatdown of Gonzaga
FSU 75, Gonzaga 60
March 22, 2018
Playing in its first Sweet 16 contest in seven years, Florida State had perhaps its best performance of the season, especially on the defensive end. Against last season’s national runner-up, the Seminoles held Gonzaga to just 34 percent shooting from the field and 5-for-20 from downtown in what turned into an easy upset win for the Seminoles. Terance Mann finished with 18 points to pace FSU, who went on to reach the Elite Eight for the first time in 25 years. With an 81-80 victory over North Carolina earlier in the season, the Seminoles beat both teams to play in last season’s national championship.

Terance Mann scored 25 points in FSU’s 83-66 win over Florida on Dec. 4, 2017. (wlpearce.com/FSU athletics)

2. Top 5 Rout in Gainesville
FSU 83, Florida 66
Dec. 4, 2017
Entering the rivalry contest with No. 5 Florida to kick off the month of December, FSU had never defeated the Gators in four straight seasons and not many expected it to. During the road contest in a hostile environment, the Seminoles had no problem changing people’s minds. An efficient offensive team coming in, Florida was held to just 36 percent shooting, 6-for-25 from downtown and dominated by the Seminoles on the glass, 51-34. Terance Mann scored a then career-high 25 points to lead four Seminoles in double-figures. C.J. Walker added 17 in the win. The 17-point victory for FSU was its largest ever in Gainesville.

1. Savoy Sinks Top-Seeded Xavier
FSU 75, Xavier 70
March 18, 2018
Entering the second round of the NCAA Tournament, ninth-seeded FSU had never defeated a No. 1 seed, but to get to the Sweet 16, that was the task at hand as it faced Xavier. The Musketeers led most of the way, leading by as many as 12 in the second half. As the game went on for FSU, the defense tightened and the shots started to fall. After drawing even at 68 on a put-back by Mfiondu Kabengele, the FSU went ahead for good with over a minute to play as P.J. Savoy knocked down a fast-break 3-pointer to give the Seminoles a 71-70 lead. Savoy and C.J. Walker would each knock down a pair of free throws while top-seeded Xavier failed to score for the final 1:49 of the contest.

Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson