ChantRant

A first-ever FSU win on B.C.'s home court

by Bill from Tampa

Forty-five seconds remained in the game. Florida State to that point was 0 for 11 from behind the three point line. That is until Derwin Kitchen hit the Seminoles’ only three pointer of the game from just left of the circle breaking a 54-54 tie.

From there the Seminoles made just enough free throws and got the stops on defense they needed.

Just to make sure, Kitchen sank two free throws with eight seconds left giving the ‘Noles its first victory ever at Boston College since the Eagles joined the conference, 61-57.

As has often been the case the two halves were quite a bit different and followed a similar scenario of previous games this season.

FSU’s play over the first twenty minutes was marred with 11 turnovers, many self-inflicted, and poor shooting at just 32%, resulting in a 27-22 halftime deficit.

It didn’t start out that way with the Seminoles jumping out to a 10-2 lead. But then the second unit of the ‘Noles just could not hang onto the ball, turning it over on four straight possessions, going on a scoring drought of 5:34.

The second half however saw the ‘Noles come out with greater effort on offense and cutting down on the miscues turning over the ball only five more times.

Too late to pull Terrence Mitchell back into the fold before signing day?

Both the O-Sentinel and St. Pete Times, as well as Rivals, are now reporting that 4-Star DB Nole commit  Terrence Mitchell has made the switch to USF. The Times story gives the most insight, including reasons that motivated the decision by T-Rex (#3 in the photo).

1. He fell in love with the new USF coaching staff.

2. A chance to play with his cousin, RB Lindsey Lamar.

3. Opportunity to see the field early (maybe as a freshman).

4. A short drive for his family to see him play.

5. USF has always been one of Mitchell's favorites.

6. A Hillsborough High teammate also committed to USF Friday.

Hey, you win some and you lose some, especially in recruiting. And if FSU can't turn T-Rex back to the Garnet & Gold, he won't be the last great prospect lured away by Skip Holtz. The Bulls have a serious, big-time coach now. Jim Leavitt put the Temple Terrace school on the map in record time, but Holtz is a major upgrade in many ways -- including the all-important need to put a likable, articulate face on the program. With Holtz on-board and this year's loss to USF, the Noles will find it tougher to land top talent in the bay area and I-4 corridor. And we're talking now and in the foreseeable future. Once the on-deck guy for the Notre Dame job, Holtz knows that unless Brian Kelly stumbles, he couldn't find a better opportunity outside the true elite programs.

Late entry on FSU's recruiting list is no longer a fan of U-know-who

Hell hath no fury like an 18-year old high school star spurned by his favorite team. Todd Chandler (Rivals 4-Star D-Tackle) grew up loving Miami but is now a P.R. nightmare for the Canes.

See, Chandler (listed as anywhere from 5-11 to 6-1 and 283 to 310 lbs.) had an offer from UM -- or so he thought. But last fall the team that had a warm spot in his heart gave him the cold shoulder. So Chandler made a soft verbal to USF, had a good time at Louisville, and now (according to a story on espn.com) will visit FSU.

But it gets juicier. Being spurned by Miami is seen an insult toward Chandler's school, aka UM's favorite backyard talent pool. In fact, an assistant coach at Miami Northwestern High vows that "the people in the community here at Northwestern won't forget this." Although the school's head coach, Billy Rolle, poo-pooh's a rift with Randy Shannon and the program formerly known for its swagger.

ChantRant is looking into to the rumor that FSU Recruiting Coordinator James Coley now has his own reserved space in Northwestern's parking lot.

"We got beat by a team that deserved to win" -- Leonard Hamilton

by Bill from Tampa

Well, at least Florida State led in the game. Two to nothing if that is any consolation. But after Jon Scheyer connected on a three point shot from above the key it was pretty much the Duke Blue Devils’ game in beating the Seminoles 70-56.

With the assistance of 22 turnovers by FSU, 14 in the first half alone, Duke scored 22 points off the miscues and therein was the difference in the game.

“We put ourselves in a deep hole in the first half,” Leonard Hamilton said following the game. “We just didn’t execute the game plan. It’s amazing to me that we were in a position to win the game down by five and going to the free throw line.”

Hamilton was referring to a point in the game with 8:56 left the ‘Noles had pulled to 51-46 after being down by sixteen points just five minutes earlier.

Outscoring the Blue Devils in an 11-1 run behind 9 points by Michael Snaer, Chris Singleton went to the free throw line but converted only one of two to pull FSU within four.

To make matters worse Derwin Kitchen who had grabbed Singleton’s miss was fouled, only to miss both freebies.

It gets better.

The Seminoles collected the rebound and had three shots at the basket but was unable to convert all three offensive put backs. Instead, Duke went on a 15-3 run to lead 66-50 with time very much on the side of Duke.

Can Greg Reid convince Telvin Smith to stick close to home?

With linebacker a position needing a major infusion of fresh blood, FSU can't afford to lose Rivals 4-Star Telvin Smith from Valdosta Lowndes. This kid is loaded with potential (video proof above from his Junior year) and appeared to be an FSU lock since commiting months ago. But after a weekend visit to UGA, Telvin sounds like a confused young man.

"I am still committed, but we will just have to see how things go. I am not sure when I will make the final decision. I could make it before Signing Day or I could wait until then, or even after then. It just comes down to when I know. I like a lot of things about Florida State and Georgia, It is just up to me where I am most comfortable at and where I like it the most. I have to figure that out."

Time for Smith's former Lowndes teammates Greg Reid and Gerald Demps to twist his arm and keep that Valdosta pipeline flowing South to Tallahassee.

So, Bobby, what was that again about not wanting to retire?

Forget all that sad stuff about recent retirees being ducks out of water, lost and without a purpose in life. At least we know one who couldn't be happier, now that he's sleeping late and not having his stomach in knots. "I have really enjoyed it," Bobby Bowden, that new man of leisure, told the Mobile Press-Register.

Uhhh, but what about the excitement of another season ahead, something Bowden always looked forward to? "I don't think I'm going to miss it," said the college football legend, as his inner voice chuckled, "Eat your heart out, Joe Paterno." In other Nole News: 

Stewart bummed. Recently departed FSU DT Kendrick Stewart leaves with a bad taste in his mouth over all the hard-earned wins forfeited, thanks to the NCAA. Perfectly understandable. But here's something we do have trouble with. Stewart, now bulking up for FSU's Pro Day, says he "wants to add about 20 pounds of lean muscle, which would put him up to 290 pounds." To that we can only scratch our heads and say...NOW!?

Chaaa-Ching! FSU fans wanted coaching changes, and we got 'em. To the tune of $2,295,000. That's the total payroll of all the new, and a few current, assistant coaches that was announced Monday (excluding Jimbo and Trickett). Now it's time to ante up, put your money where your chop is, and write that 2010 Booster check.

Noles swat Yellowjackets, 68-66

by Bill from Tampa

There were twenty lead changes and ten ties. Fortunately for Florida State there was not a twenty first lead change.

Solomon Alabi sank two free throws, the first with some dramatic flair bouncing it high off the rim to the top of the backboard and down into the net, to give the Seminoles a 67-66 lead with 22.8 seconds left.

Georgia Tech had two chances at a basket but Gani Lawal air balled a runner in the lane and the rebound was out of bounds off a Yellow Jacket with 5.3 ticks on the clock remaining.

Two seconds later Jordan DeMercy converted one of two charity shots and followed that up by intercepting the Hail Mary inbound pass to give the ‘Noles a hard fought 68-66 victory over the 19th ranked Jackets.

Following the game Leonard Hamilton laughingly agreed that it was just another typical blowout game in the ACC.

After Florida State took an early 10-2 lead, Tech came back to take the lead at 13-10. It was back and forth after that as the lead kept changing hands and always within a handful of points.

The score was tied at thirty-four all at halftime.

Hamilton commented afterwards “The game could have gone either way. But we made one more free throw. We got one more rebound. We made just one play better.”

Better was the operative word because at times it was ugly as both teams showed a propensity to turn the ball over. Florida State gave up the ball 18 times and Tech 20. The difference however was points off those turnovers with the Yellow Jackets getting only 10 points compared to FSU scoring 22 points off Tech’s miscues.

Free throw shooting was even uglier as both squads were under 60% from the stripe (FSU 16-27, 59%; GT 11-22, 50%).

“You have to give credit to Georgia Tech”, Hamilton said. “They created problems on defense for us with the various presses they ran at us. I don’t think we made good decisions, but we did not give up any points against those presses. Our turnovers were self-inflicted. We are inventing ways to turn the ball over.”

Hamilton credited Luke Loucks in handling the offense against the press.

Key in the win was FSU’s work on the boards with the ‘Noles outrebounding Tech 39-37. The Seminoles are now 13-1 when outrebounding its opponents.

Leading the way for FSU was Chris Singleton with a career high 23 points. Just 1 of 6 from behind the arc, Singleton was 9 of 17 from the floor overall scoring on numerous aggressive dribble drives. Attacking the basket also sent the sophomore forward to the free throw line often. But Singleton was unable to convert most of his opportunities with just 4 of 10 from fifteen feet.

Alabi scored 10 of his 14 points in the second half and Devidas Dulkys added 11 points.

Defensively the ‘Noles, as they did in Atlanta, held Tech’s potent combo of Gani Lawal (5) and Derrick Favors (10) to just fifteen total points.

It was Brian Oliver however  who did his impersonation of NC State’s Scott Wood scoring 20 points off of six three pointers to lead Tech in scoring.

Over five hundred games on the Seminole sidelines and he's coming back for more

Nobody has been associated with Florida State football longer than Major Billy Smith. The retired Florida Highway Patrolman has served four FSU coaches, starting with Bill Peterson in 1964. Here's what he told us when asked if he'll be back this season to protect Jimbo (and check out the rest of the interview with Major Smith at our sister site Garnet & Great).

"That's a pretty accurate statement. We've still gotta talk a little bit more, but I think it's going to happen. We're going to meet again on the 25th, I believe it is. But we get along fine together. He's a good guy. He's a lot different than Coach Bowden. He's much more aggressive. He's a great motivator and an excellent recruiter. Coach Bowden was good for the program and Jimbo's going to be good for the program."

The hazards of being Jimbo Fisher

We're totally psyched, fired up and practically levitating with excitement over the beginning of the Jimbo Fisher era. But we're also concerned.

Can the new Chief on the reservation take the 24/7 pressure cooker, with every decision second-guessed by the media and thousands of fans? Can he continue to drive himself and his staff for, oh, say 35 more years?

That's how long the 45-year old Fisher has to go if he wants to make it to Bobby Bowden's retirement age.

Don't bet on it. Even if Jimbo wins big, brings home championships and gets his own statue at Doak, odds are heavily against anybody pulling another Bowden or Paterno.

Fisher is 45 and apparently healthy. But let's hope he can maintain the pace without slipping on the big banana peel of stress.

Chuck Amato obviously couldn't. As we reported yesterday -- and was verified later by the mainstream sports media -- the 64-year old coach has throat cancer, though treatment is going well and he expects a full recovery.

Meanwhile, back at the Urban Meyer soap opera, no recent reports of chest pains, brain cysts, or PTSD. But he's still on indefinite leave of absence. No wait, he may be back this year. That is if he's not rolling around the floor in agony while his wife calls 911.

UConn Coach Jim Calhoun is taking an in-season leave of absence with no guarantee of return. The 67-year old's ailment (unknown) is the latest on his medical chart that includes three bouts with cancer (prostate and skin).

And just this week two well-known coaches 'fessed up about the heavy toll coaching can take on health and family.

Former Alabama and Georgia Tech coach Bill Curry told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution: "I destroyed my health in 21 years of coaching and got to the level of fatigue where I couldn't operate as a good decision-maker, with migranes and exhaustion overtaking me...

Unconfirmed report: Chuck Amato has cancer

A message board thread on Pack Pride, North Carolina State's Scout.com site, is reporting that former FSU assistant Chuck Amato has throat cancer. Reportedly, according to the poster who delivered the news, "They have caught it in the early stages and his prognosis is good."

If true, we wish Chuck The Chest a speedy recovery. True, Amato was a pinata for a lot of FSU fan frustration -- especially concerning his recruiting efforts since returning to Tallahassee. But not even the most whacked-out tomahawk chopper would want Amato cursed with this.