Florida State Basketball: What a 2020 Final Four would’ve meant for Seminoles
The 2019-20 Florida State Basketball team were talented enough to make the program’s first run to the Final Four since the start of the three-point era. While that would be a memorable moment in program history, would have it been enough to make them the most memorable?
After 64 seasons, Florida State Basketball has made its way to the ‘Big Dance’ 17 times. Their greatest success was in the 1972 tournament when as an Independent they lost in the National Title game. In the last 40 years, which is the timeframe for this discussion, the best Florida State has done is lose in the Regional Final. When establishing 2019-20 Seminoles’ place in program history since 1980, a run to the Final Four would weigh heavily.
Not only did Florida State add 26 victories to raise the program’s total to 1128, but their 16 wins also set a new benchmark for conference wins in a season. This memorable achievement was anchored by their 6th toughest defense in program history and translated to the 2019-20 team being the first Seminole team ranked in the top 5 by the Associated Press since the memorable 1971-72 season.
One aspect that should be remembered about this year’s team is not just their defense and how they led the ACC in steals, but they were also second in scoring average per game in the conference. This balance is how Florida State went from not being ranked in the pre-season to going on a 7 game win streak to start the season and by week four debut in the top 25 at No.17. They would continue to climb and by January 6th, after a 13 point victory at Louisville, they entered the top ten.
The end of season ranking of No.4 is only surpassed by the 1971-72 team. With a No.4 ranking from the Associated Press and being placed No.10 in the NET, Florida State would have been in line for a #1 seed. Even the worst-case scenario and they were on the two-line, it would still be the highest seed awarded to them in the tournament.
The most memorable team to get a #3 seed was the 1992-93 team that consisted of 5 future NBA selections. A team led by a three-guard front of Bob Sura, Charlie Ward, and Sam Cassell, and would go on to lose in the Elite Eight. That core lost the year before in the Regional Semi-Final. The two teams since, that was awarded a #3 seed have lost within the two first rounds.
dark. Next. Florida State 2019-20 season review
The only team that would be as memorable as Florida State’s first Final Four run, would be the 2017-18 team led by Phil Cofer. It is difficult to forget the 9-9 team entering the tournament at a #9 seed and promptly beating 8 seed Missouri, 1 seed Xavier and 4 seed Gonzaga before coming up four points short to Michigan in the Elite 8. Those four points would also cost them the title of Florida State’s most memorable team, that is of course if the 2019-20 tournament would have played out.