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CHARLOTTE, N.C. – To be fair, it was an incredible semi-final match. This is reduced to the last seconds. Between two tiered rivals.
But when Duke's head coach, Mike Krzyzewski, and freshmen, Zion Williamson and RJ Barrett sat on the podium late Friday night, after his one-point win against North Carolina . That's how many questions he was asked about the opponent who was waiting for them in the ACC: Zero Championship Game.
Not a question about Florida State.
The Seminoles eliminated No. 1 seed Virginia on Friday night in the other semifinal match. They also managed to get closer to a rebound after a missed free-throw duel beating Duke in the regular season. But they were not mentioned once by journalists when Krzyzewski and his two lottery picks answered questions during the press conference.
There were only 12 questions in total because of the late hour. Duke's head coach praised his opponent during the match for the title tonight (8:30 pm ESPN), but the prospect of facing FSU was not really a hot topic after the victory of a Blue Devils point on the Tar Heels.
"I looked a little at the state of Florida and their defense was outstanding today," said Krzyzewski. "Virginia is as good a team as we are in the country, we have very good teams, we have very good teams and good players, so – and Florida State is one of them. 39, is one of them. "
This certainly seems to be the case.
There is at least a decent chance that VAC will get three No. 1 seeds when the NCAA tournament hooks are unveiled Sunday night. With the Seminoles win Friday, against what could be the tournament's No. 1 seed, they seem to have a solid case to become a No. 3 seed in Big Dance.
Do they win tonight? Against another potential seed n ° 1? Maybe they could shoot up to No. 2.
But that would be a secondary achievement for Florida State players and coaches. Of course, the main goal is to do what just one other team in FSU history has done: Win an ACC Championship.
"It would mean a lot," said junior guard Trent Forrest. "Coaches talk a lot about the 2012 team to us, so I'd like the story to change, so that they can talk about us." That would mean a lot to each member of this team. . "
The 2012 team, like the 2019 version, had a difficult time during the season, losing to Princeton and Auburn, and making their mark in the first game of the ACC at Clemson. They bounced back to beat Duke and North Carolina in the regular season, then beat them again in Atlanta twice in a row to win the 2012 ACC Championship.
No matter what happens tonight, there is a good chance that FSU coaches and supporters will remember the 2019 team with tenderness.
Nevertheless, a win over Duke and another CAC title would be something that could never be removed.
"Since I was recruited, that's all I've heard about – the 2012 team," Forrest said. "In ten years, it would be good to hear about teams that need to hear from us."
Mfiondu Kabengele, a sophomore, said, "You want equipment to enjoy your season. Nobody remembers second place. So you are trying to finish the season strongly and do it for our elders.
"It would be nice to see them all having gear at the end of the season."
Florida State is currently 27-6 on the season. A win tonight would break the record for the most wins in a season in the school, set by the 1972 team that lost to UCLA in the national championship game.
The Seminoles will face a Duke team loaded with first-round talent, including the first two probable picks of the NBA Draft, Williamson and Barrett, and another choice of Cam Reddish's lottery. You may remember him at the match in Tallahassee.
But the Blue Devils are not as deep as the Seminoles. And they come from an exhausting and emotional victory over their rivals.
"Let's hope we have enough players tomorrow to play well against Leonard's team," Krzyzewski said.
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