ACC Tournament 2012: Seminoles Must Fight Being Satisfied with ACC Crown

The Seminoles basketball program is riding high, but the challenge is not over. They have proved they are amongst the best teams in the ACC by defeating UNC and Duke on consecutive nights.

This only compounds the wins they earned over the two ACC powers in the regular season.

Still, the Big Dance begins this week, and the talented Seminoles can do some more damage if they aren't satisfied with their accomplishments.

After winning the ACC Tournament, one would believe they will be seeded anywhere from fifth to third in their respective region.

Now, the tables will turn.

They will be the hunted, instead of the hunters.

Can they respond when they are now going to be viewed as the giants?

After a rocky start to the regular season, Leonard Hamilton's bunch finished 11-3 down the stretch and 24-9 overall going in to the NCAA tournament.

They have done what they've done with great three-point shooting and relentless defense.

In the ACC Tournament, they shot a blistering 44 percent from the three, topping 50 percent twice.

The Noles' defense held their three ACC opponents to 39 percent shooting from the field as well. This team is playing well at the right time and they could be a sleeper Final Four team.

But they can't be satisfied.

It can happen to lesser regarded programs that have climbed the mountain to upset conference giants. If they set their sights only as high as Duke and UNC, then what happens now?

Hamilton has done a marvelous job with this team. Hopefully he has prepared them to turn the page to the next challenge. It helps that they have a good amount of senior leadership.

Luke Loucks and Bernard James are both seniors and their poise outside and inside has been huge for the Noles.

Loucks is a fifth-year senior who made a huge shot against Duke in the ACC semifinals, and has been the primary ball-handler down the stretch for the Noles.

James has stabilized the interior defense and averaged 12 points and seven rebounds in the ACC tournament.

Junior Michael Snaer is shooting 41 percent from the three and is the team's best clutch performer. You may remember that he drained the three that sank the Blue Devils in Cameron Indoor Stadium in January.

The pieces are there: good ball-handlers, good to great three-point shooting, defensive intensity and an inside presence.

This team is dangerous, but they must clear the ACC Tournament's confetti and get down to business.