FSU climbing the conference ranks

The last thing the North Carolina men’s basketball team wants this season is a rehash of last year’s ACC Tournament shocker, when the soon-to-be national champions fell from grace at the hands of Florida State.

But if the Seminoles’ drastically improved performance continues this season, the Tar Heels may have a reason to fear the spear.

Florida State, traditionally not known for its stellar basketball program, went to the finals of the ACC Tournament last year for the first time in school history after upsetting UNC 73-70.

The Seminoles lost the tournament title to Duke, but their tournament performance — coupled with only 10 regular-season losses — sent them straight to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since the 1997-1998 season.

The Seminoles lost in the first round of tournament play, but ended the season with a 25-10 record and finished 10-6 in ACC play (fourth in the ACC).

The 2008-09 ACC Coach of the Year, Leonard Hamilton, will be looking forward to continued success from his team again this season. With sophomore Solomon Alabi on the roster, the Seminoles could likely achieve that and more.

Last season the 7-foot, 1-inch center averaged 2.1 blocks per game — good for tops in the ACC.

When the Seminoles downed UNC in the second round of the ACC tournament, Alabi was a critical factor. The freshman registered two blocks and contested seemingly every shot UNC put up in the lane.

In that game, Alabi also dropped 11 points on 5-of-9 shooting — good for second on the team along with Derwin Kitchen.

Alabi was also the only freshman named to the ACC All-Defensive team.

In August, Alabi was named a pre-season nominee for the Wooden All-American team and National Player of the year award.

Alabi was second in points per game (8.4) behind Toney Douglas (21.5) last season, but led the team in rebounds, blocked shots and field goal percentage.

The Seminoles will lose only two starters, but coping with the loss of last season’s ACC leading scorer Douglas may prove to be an uphill battle.

With only one senior on this season’s roster, the Seminoles will depend largely on a young starting lineup to carry them through a tough conference schedule.