The #10 ranked FSU basketball team took down #12 Louisville 73-68 in the last of six straight ranked match-ups. Facing off with the legendary coach Rick Pitino, the team knew they had to be on their best to win. Although the deficit was brought down to one point with two minutes left in the game, the Louisville Cardinals were never able to command a lead. Coach Pitino even went as far to say that he wasn’t disappointed by his team’s efforts, but more impressed with the tenacity of Florida State.

The ‘Noles finished the hardest six game stretch of the season with an emphatic 5-1 record, bringing their season record to 18-2. The effort moved FSU up to sixth in the nation and we are currently the highest ranked team in the ACC.

Going into that stretch, many teams around the country doubted the Seminoles. Though it was disappointing for fans to see them lose to UNC, no one will deny the difficulty of beating the Tar Heels in Chapel Hill. FSU did however get a win over other ACC powerhouses like Virginia, Duke and Norte Dame. Seeing this team recover after such a tough loss to North Carolina bodes well for Florida State’s tournament hopes. It’s difficult to look down the barrel of six straight ranked opponents, but this test will only make the Seminole’s more prepared come March Madness.

Over the last three games Jonathan Isaac has averaged 18.6 points, 10.7 rebounds and 3 blocks. He’s made huge strides towards fulfilling his lofty expectations, and NBA pundits are excited to see his rapid development at age 19. As the season zooms by, it’s easy to see the connection between the FSU stars. Along with Isaac’s breakout, Dwayne Bacon still has yet to score less than 10 points in a game this season, averaging 17.5 points per game. Terance Mann has also been a catalyst for FSU when our offense struggles.

We're all David and the world is Goliath ??‍♂️ A photo posted by Jonathan Isaac (@jonisaac_01) on Jan 21, 2017 at 6:12pm PST



Mann’s energy is unmatched, but other notable role players have found ways to contribute too. Big man Michael Ojo has brought energy from tipoff to help get the ‘Noles going. PJ Savoy Jr. has shown the ability to catch fire beyond the arc, hitting 10 three pointers over the last five games. Backup center Jarquez Smith has played a big role in defending the rim, blocking at least one shot in the last six match-ups. Many around the country believe we have one of the best benches, and they have helped propel us through this tough stretch.

Moving forward, the ‘Noles couldn’t be in a better spot. As bad as it was to lose in North Carolina, the resilience to win the next two games against equally tough opponents makes this team even scarier. With the hard part out of the way, they only play two more ranked opponents in their last 11 games of the regular season.

Down the stretch, it will be interesting to see where FSU ends up in the NCAA Tournament. The Seminoles control their tournament destiny, and with their talent it’s only a matter of time before they clinch a spot.