| | March 10, 2000
We just knew that if we came out and played Florida State basketball we
would have a really good chance to beat Georgia Tech (in the first round). Oliver
(Simmons) came out really aggressively and that was big for us. I think one
of the biggest things is that each game could be the last for our seniors
and everyone wants to go out fighting. I think that is why we came out
really aggressive tonight.
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Inside the Locker Room
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Throughout Championship Week, ESPN.com and FANSonly.com are presenting an inside look into the ACC tournament from some of the league's top players, including Ron Hale of Florida State. For more on the ACC, visit the conference's official web site.
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It was very important for me to bounce back after being held scoreless in
our last game on Sunday. That was a tough game and I have been trying not to
think about it, but each night before I have been going to bed I have been
thinking about it and waiting for my next opportunity to come out and redeem
myself. I think I did tonight.
I don't think I was pressing. I was just taking what they were
giving me. I wasn't going out and forcing anything, but I did try to make
sure I got involved early and I was able to get out on a break and get an
easy basket. I got some early free throws and that really helped me.
Our free throw shooting was really big. That is something we work on
every day, we shot free throws today before the game, and I think it really
helped us tonight (FSU 16 of 19 from the line). Getting to the line was a
great opportunity, especially when we were able to knock them down.
To have a chance to beat Maryland we basically need to come out and play
great defense, and not let them do anything they want with the ball. They
have got a lot of great athletes, some on the first team (All-ACC), some on
the second team. They are loaded. We just need to get some rest and come out
tomorrow and play with some fire and some emotion, and I think we can do a
pretty good job.
I definitely think I can get the same good looks at the basket that I did
tonight (against Georgia Tech, 7 of 11 shooting, 21 points). The guys just
have to do a good job at setting screens and stuff like that. Maryland is a
really good team defensively, and they make you work for everything, so we
are just going to have to move a lot, make sharp cuts and set good screens.
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ALSO SEE
Championship Week
Atlantic Coast Conference tournament
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Inside the Locker Room: Mike Krzyzewski
Inside the Locker Room: Lonny Baxter
Inside the Locker Room: Kenny Inge
Inside the Locker Room: Terence Morris
Inside the Locker Room: Darius Songaila
Inside the Locker Room: Johnny Hemsley
Inside the Locker Room: Morris Peterson
Inside the Locker Room: Mark Dickel
Inside the Locker Room: Rahim Lockhart
Inside the Locker Room: Jamaal Magloire
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