FSU Opens Tourney vs. FGCU

For the first time in five years, Florida State is bound for the NCAA Tournament.

The brackets were unveiled Sunday evening and the Seminoles were awarded a No. 3 seed in the West Region. FSU will face 14th-seeded and Atlantic Sun champion Florida Gulf Coast on Thursday in Orlando.

The winner of the contest will advance to take on the winner of Maryland and Xavier. FSU set a school-record with 24 wins during the regular season before being bounced in the semifinals of the ACC Tournament.

Under head coach Leonard Hamilton, the Seminoles are 3-4 all-time in the NCAA Tournament. In its last appearance in 2012, FSU earned a No. 3 seed in the NCAA Tournament after winning the ACC and after beating St. Bonaventure, was upset by Cincinnati in the round of 32.

The only time Florida State has advanced past the first weekend under Hamilton was 2011 when it reached the Sweet 16 as a No. 10 seed before being defeated by one point in overtime by Virginia Commonwealth.

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