On Monday night at the Donald L. Tucker Center, the North Carolina Tar Heels secured a 96-85 victory against the Florida State Seminoles, pushing their record to 17-11 and marking their fourth consecutive win. Despite beginning the game with solid momentum stemming from their prior performance against Louisville, the Seminoles staggered, with their record now standing at 16-12.
Florida State entered the game with some urgency as they aimed to provide their head coach, Leonard Hamilton, with his 200th Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) victory. Hamilton has enjoyed notable success during his lengthy tenure, but this season has been particularly challenging. The emotionally charged atmosphere was heightened as FSU planned a whiteout event, giving the first 2,000 fans Hamilton-themed shirts, signifying their appreciation for his impending farewell.
Both teams demonstrated impressive offensive prowess throughout the game, exchanging leads multiple times during the first half. Florida State led by three points at 34-31 with just over six minutes remaining. Jamir Watkins was instrumental for the Seminoles, amassing 26 points and helping establish their early rhythm. Watkins's impressive first half included 18 points on seven attempts from the field.
Despite the promising start, the tide turned when Malique Ewin, who had just returned to the game, suffered an ankle injury early in the second half. His absence was felt immediately, as North Carolina capitalized on their opponent's disarray, outscoring Florida State 14-6 during Ewin's initial time off the court. Ewin's inability to contribute hindered FSU’s ability to rebound, with UNC grabbing 17 offensive boards to their 35 total rebounds.
North Carolina's RJ Davis proved pivotal, leading the team with 20 points. The Tar Heels shot 55.2% from the field, including 10 of 26 from 3-point range. They also effectively utilized second-chance opportunities, scoring 24 points off offensive rebounds, which greatly aided their scoring efforts.
Notably, the game featured significant moments of tension, particularly with fouls. Florida State struggled with foul trouble throughout, with six players registering at least two fouls. This allowed North Carolina to shoot 31 free throws, converting 28, which helped them maintain their lead. For their part, the Seminoles made 21 of their own attempts out of 28.
The contest also garnered attention due to the broadcasting team of Dave O'Brien and Cory Alexander, who made light of the differences between perceptions of mood and actual expressions. O'Brien noted Florida State's head coach Leonard Hamilton was smiling more than usual during the game. Yet, shortly thereafter, the broadcast cut to Hamilton’s typical stoic demeanor as the game slipped away from the Seminoles.
Towards the final stretch of the game, the Tar Heels extended their lead from 10 points to 16, effectively sealing the fate of the Seminoles. Despite the palpable enthusiasm of the Florida State crowd and the spirited early efforts from players like Watkins and Jerry Deng—who added 16 points—UNC's composure and depth prevailed.
Florida State has now lost four out of their last five games, and as they prepare for their next matchup against the No. 2 Duke Blue Devils, there are urgent questions surrounding consistency and momentum. The upcoming game holds even greater significance for Hamilton as it reels toward the conclusion of his career.
With the ACC tournament approaching, the stakes are high for both teams, as North Carolina looks to solidify their postseason position, and Florida State aims to rally around Hamilton's legacy. The game served as a poignant reminder of both the competitiveness and unpredictability defining college basketball.