2008-2009 Florida State Seminoles Basketball Preview:
The Florida State Seminoles men’s basketball program has been very successful in the ultra-competitive Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). Head coach Leonard Hamilton is leading the team up the ranks of the ACC and vying for a conference title and NCAA bid this season. Four of Hamilton’s players have been selected in the NBA draft in just his first four years as head coach, so it’s obvious that he can recruit and mould players. Tucker Center will rock this year as the Seminoles try to come back into their own as an ACC powerhouse.
FLORIDA STATE SEMINOLES INFORMATION:
Location: Tallahassee, Florida
Stadium: Leon County Civic Center
Conference: ACC Conference
Rivals: Florida Gators, Miami Hurricanes
Mascot: Chief Osceola
Considering that Florida State’s basketball squad wasn’t founded until the 1950’s, half a century later than most of the other programs in the ACC, the Seminoles have still managed to put numbers on the scoreboard and in the record books. They won a Men’s Florida Intercollegiate Conference Championship in 1955 and a Metro Conference Championship in 1991, solidifying their place in the NCAA. The Seminoles match or surpass most major college basketball programs in the number of 20 win seasons, all time wins, NCAA Tournament appearances, and individual player awards. Some notable alumni from the Florida State basketball program include Sam Cassell, Dave Cowens, Bob Sura, and Charlie Ward.
FSU has a long history of school mascot tradition. The Garnet and Gold Seminoles rally around their athletic affiliation with the Seminole Tribe of Florida. For a short period in 1969, the basketball team introduced a new mascot - Chief Fullabull. The character was buffoon-like and performed stunts such as ceremonially massacring effigies of opposing team's mascots. In 1970, at the request of the Seminole Tribe of Florida, Chief Fullabull was retired. Today, the official mascot of the Seminoles is Chief Osceola, who rides the war horse Renegade. In fact, if you look at the team's history and tradition, you might connect Rengade and Chief Osceola's image in the team "raiding" the college basketball scene in such a short period of time.
The Florida State Seminoles play their home games at the Donald. L. Tucker Center in Tallahasee, Florida. The 12,100 seat arena was opened in 1981. Tucker Center is a beautiful arena to visit and the loud and raucous student section - known as the Nole Zone - will leave fans and spectators in awe. Buy FSU basketball tickets today and don’t miss any of the action!
See Also:
Florida State Seminoles ACC Tournament tickets
Florida State Seminoles NCAA Tournament tickets
Florida State Seminoles Final Four tickets
Florida State Seminoles Football tickets