Florida State Basketball: Keys to Seminoles' 2012 NCAA Tournament Run

While everyone wanted to hand the ACC crown to Duke or North Carolina, there is another major player that is looking for NCAA Tournament glory: the ACC Tournament Champion Florida State Seminoles.

It’s easy to forget about the Seminoles when stuck behind the likes of two of the greatest programs in the sport's history, but no team should take them lightly. They didn’t go 20-9 in the regular season with no talent.

We also can’t forget that is was this Florida State team that beat the Duke Blue Devils and North Carolina Tar Heels within seven days this January. The Seminoles lost their last meeting with Duke on Feb. 23, but their ferocity and ability to win once will give the team hope.

An ACC Championship doesn't hurt a team's mental confidence either, especially beating a team as good as North Carolina.

All of the battle wounds from playing one of the tougher schedules will have the Seminoles playing possessed in the NCAA tournament. If there was ever a year for Florida State to make a run at a National Championship, this would be the year.

Check back for more on the NCAA Basketball as it comes, and check out Bleacher Report’s College Basketball Page to get your fill of college basketball.

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Superstars Who Must Shine

Michael Snaer

There is no more important of a player to the Florida State cause than junior shooting guard Michael Snaer. With 30.5 minutes per game, he is the floor general on the court and a leader in the locker room as well.

If the Seminoles want to be successful during the NCAA tournament, they will need Snaer to get hot like he did against the Tar Heels in the ACC Championship and produce more than the 14.1 points per game he has averaged this season. He won’t be alone, though.

Ian Miller

Helping Snaer will be sophomore guard Ian Miller. With Miller’s versatility in the backcourt, the young player can play point with Snaer on the floor or slide to shooting guard when he is resting.

With Miller scoring at least 11 points in seven of his last eight games, this is the time to turn the heat up even higher and blow the doors off the competition.

Role Player Who Must Emerge

Bernard James

While senior forward Bernard James doesn’t get the fanfare that players like Michael Snaer and Ian Miller receive, he is just as valuable to the team’s success. Maybe even more so.

James is the role player that gives 110 percent on the defensive end of the court to ensure that his teammates can have the fast break fun. With 14 blocks over his last five games and an average of nine rebounds, James is the man that will be doing it on defense and on the glass.

As if James didn’t do enough already for the Seminoles, the big forward chips in ten points a game. Combined with his defensive prowess, James is arguably the biggest piece of the Florida State puzzle.

Offensive Strategy to Watch

The key for the Florida State game offensively is getting the ball down low and running the game from the inside out. With stellar big men and guards that can drive the lane, the Seminoles goal is to take it to the hoop.

That’s not to say they won’t take deep shots. The team has three shooters that are averaging over 35 percent on three pointers this season. With that much depth and versatility, it’s hard to formulate a defense that can stop Florida State.

If the Seminoles can put together a strong offensive showing early in the tournament by sticking to their inside-out gameplan, it will force defenses to play conservative, which will allow them to dominate.

Defensive Strategy to Watch

With the team fully behind any and all defensive schemes, it doesn’t matter what the opponents throw at the Florida State defenders—they will adapt and overcome. Whether it's zone or man schemes, it doesn’t matter.

The reason the Seminoles have been as effective as they have been this season is because they let their offense come from their defense. Like the Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA, every offensive play starts with solid defense.

Facing the best teams in the nation during the NCAA tournament will push the limits of the Florida State defense, but a commitment to the style of play the Seminoles have mastered will lead them to a serious run.

Biggest NCAA Tournament Hurdle

The Florida State Seminoles are marred in what could be the toughest region of the bracket: the East. With schools like Ohio State, Syracuse, Wisconsin and other powerhouses clogging the road to NCAA glory, Florida State will have to earn it if they want to win it all.

After passing by the tougher-than-given-credit-for St. Bonaventure Bonnies in the first round, the Seminoles will square off with the winner of the Cincinnati vs. Texas game. While this doesn’t look to tall of a task, we can’t forget how good Cincy has looked over the last month.

If Florida State makes it to the Elite Eight and beyond, their trouble will only intensify, as the odds on tournament favorite Syracuse would be their Elite Eight dancing partner while Ohio State would be their Sweet 16 opponent.

The Seminoles could make a serious run, but they will need some help in terms of their opponents' shooting poorly to make it to the NCAA National title game.

Last-Second NCAA Tournament Prediction

With all of the talent the Seminoles have at both ends of the court and all of their experience, I don’t see how they will get bounced before facing off with Ohio State in the Sweet 16.

If Ohio State makes it through to the Sweet 16 like I have them slated to do, I think the Buckeyes would steal the win over Florida State. With that being said, even if the Seminoles make it through to the Elite Eight, they will probably lose to Syracuse.

With one of the toughest regions of the entire bracket ahead of them, Florida State will need a huge head of steam if they want to beat all the talent they will have to in order to become National Champions.