For the first time since 2003 the men's basketball team is in the top 25. They are ranked 25th in both polls. It's the latest in the season they have been ranked in the AP poll since 1993 and first time since 98 to be in the AP poll at all.
The ranking comes following an unbelievable comeback saturday night against Clemson. Trailing 57-42 in the second half FSU refused to be blown out the way Duke was just days earlier in the same arena by the same team. Toney Douglas(like always) put the team on his back and scored 12 points during a 23-4 run that put the Seminoles up for good.
Once again the role of second scorer rotated for the 'Noles. This time RS freshman Solomon Alabi filled the roll scoring 17 points with nine rebounds, five blocks and two steals. He was named ACC rookie of the week for his performance against the Tigers and Georgia Tech earlier in the week It was almost as if for the first time in his career he realized how much taller he was than everyone.
Beating Clemson is huge for this team. So far they had competed with, but come up short against top ten teams now they have a signature win to hang their hats on come March.
They have to be careful though to make sure they win their remaining home games because they they face stiff competition the rest of the way on the road. They have to play at Wake Forrest, Virginia Tech, Boston College, and Duke. Those games make the remaining home contests with UVA, Miami, VT, and Clemson that much more important. If they can win their remaining home games and steal one or two on the road combined with their non-conference resume and it would be safe to say that Leonard and the Boys would need some new dancing shoes.
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