St. Bonaventure gave Florida State all it could handle on Friday. The ACC Tournament champs, who beat UNC and Duke twice each this season, needed a 16-2 run late in the second half to eliminate the Bonnies.
On Sunday, the Seminoles will take on the Bearcats of Cincinnati in the next round. No. 6 Cincinnati was somewhat fortunate in the first half against Texas as the Longhorns misses what seemed like every shot they took. Texas shot 16 percent from the field in the first half, but was able to stay in it in the second and even tie the game with under four minutes left. But the Bearcats got the wake-up call, score the next six points and eventually put the Longhorns away.
Will Florida State win its seventh straight game and advance to the Sweet 16? Or will Cincinnati deliver the upset that St. Bonaventure couldn't?
*All stats and rankings through start of tournament.
No. 3 FLORIDA STATE
Overall Record: 25-9
Conference Record: 12-4
Conference Tournament Outcome Won ACC Tournament
Points Scored Per Game: 69.9
Points Allowed Per Game: 62.3
AP Ranking: 17
RPI Ranking: 22
KenPom Ranking: 21
Standout Player: Michael Snaer
Season In Review: FSU had a rough stretch in the beginning of the season, dropping three straight games. But the Seminoles had a very strong second half of the season in which they only lost three games TOTAL and won the ACC tournament.
Tournament Experience: 14-13, 13 appearances, 1 Final Four
NO. 6 CINCINNATI
Overall Record: 25-10
Conference Record: 12-6
Conference Tournament Outcome: Won Big East Tournament
PPG: 68.5
Points Allowed: 61.2
AP Ranking: none
RPI: 40
KenPom Ranking: 31
Standout Player: Sean Kilpatrick
Season In Review: Following a bad loss to Rutgers to cap a three-game losing streak, it looked as if the Bearcats' chances at the big dance were doomed. But Cincinnati stayed strong, won seven of their last 10 regular season games, upset Syracuse in the Big East Tournament before falling to Louisville in the conference championship.
Tournament Experience: 41-24, 25 appearances, 6 Final Fours, 2 National Championships