Sept. 13
In the world of college sports, there is a lot of enthusiasm in the state of Florida, baby!

After struggling a bit in 2001, Florida State fans are excited about Bobby Bowden's football team. With the theme "Let's Roll" in honor of Todd Beamer, who gave his life up on 9/11, the Seminoles have a positive approach this season. They're fired up for a big year.

The buzz at Florida is Ron Zook taking over for Steve Spurrier. And down at Miami, Larry Coker did a great job winning a national championship last season. Can the 'Canes repeat?

	At Miami, Hamilton built a program without the advantage of a true homecourt. Eventually, he will build a basketball tradition in Tallahassee.

But all of the excitement isn't only for football. Billy Donovan has done a great job at Florida, Perry Clark led Miami to the NCAAs and, with the arrival of Leonard Hamilton at Florida State, there are also thrills in Tallahassee for the round ball.

Dave Hart did a great job in picking Hamilton. He has the skills to resurrect the Florida State program and bring it to the upper echelon of the ACC. I believe the potential is there. I believe he can get it done at Florida State.

The development of a new practice facility will help recruiting (an area where Hamilton has had great success in the past) and discipline was instilled within the program by Hamilton's predecessor, Steve Robinson.

Hamilton is more than just a solid recruiter. He built the foundation at Oklahoma State, setting the groundwork for the Final Four team led by Bryant "Big Country" Reeves. (Eddie Sutton was the head coach of that squad in 1995.) And at Miami, Hamilton built a program without the advantage of a true homecourt. Eventually, he will build a basketball tradition in Tallahassee.

Hamilton has done a great job with step one -- scheduling. It is so important to set the tone of the program through scheduling. You have to schedule intelligently, and the Seminoles will have a school record-tying 16 home games this season. Way to go Leonard, getting all of those home games, baby!

Florida State plays its first eight games at home. The first road test won't come until Dec. 28 vs. Boston University at the Fiesta Bowl. Problem is, two days later, Florida State could face Arizona (my preseason No. 1 pick) in the championship game.

There are some outstanding matchups among the non-league games. In a six-day stretch, the Seminoles have to face Florida, Iowa and Miami (Fla.). There are some cupcakes thrown into the mix, too. Savannah State, Birmingham Southern, Mercer and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi are on the schedule.

Hamilton should make a big difference down in Tallahassee. There is excitement galore, and it's for more than just football, baby!