FSU: Doing Less With More, But Why?

Another NCAA Tournament approaches and yet again Florida State will not be participating in it. The Noles under Leonard Hamilton, the very same man that won a Big East title with Miami and had two second place finishes with the Canes as well has failed to break Florida State through despite stock pilling some remarkable talent.

This season it is almost certain that Miami will return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since Leonard Hamilton's recruits left the program. But Miami it can be argued is less talented at every position right now than Florida State, and were dominated at home by the Noles earlier this season. Yet Miami is probably NCAA bound and FSU is headed once again to the NIT.

Let's compare lineups:


PG Tony Douglas vs Lance Hurdle

Hurdle's emergence has really helped Miami push for the NCAAs in the second half of the ACC campaign, but Douglas is arguably the league's second best point guard behind Ty Lawson.

SG Jason Rich vs Jack McClinton

Sure McClinton makes clutch 3 points, but Rich is a better overall player. He's a better defensive player, can handle the ball in a pinch and a better rebounder.

SG Isaiah Swann vs James Dews

This one isn't even close. Dews is one of the worst starters in the ACC. He's a liability on defense, cannot hit big shots regularly and doesn't move well off the ball.

F Uche Echefu vs Dwayne Collins

This could be the one Miami wins, but maybe not. Two totally different players. Echefu is more athletic and a better shooter, Collins is a better finisher and a good post presence.

C Ryan Reid vs Anthony King

I would choose a rented mule over Anthony King. Case closed.

So basically FSU is better or even at every starting position. While Miami has a much better bench, you have to begin to question coaching at this point. Under Leonard Hamilton, Miami won in his last four seasons a disproportionate number of close games. Under Hamilton, FSU has blown more close games, and flat out gifted away more games than any other major conference program in the country.

I'm curious as to other explanations. I'd love to hear from our Nole friends to explain why FSU constantly underachieves. Is it the lame arena, which has put me to sleep almost every time I've been there? Is it a football first mentality at the school? Is it simply bad luck? What is it?