February 22, 2008

Chris Nee
Warchant.com

Florida State (15-12, 4-8 ACC), which defeated Clemson at home on Tuesday night, plays host to Boston College on Saturday at noon. Entering the only regular season meeting between the Seminoles and the Eagles, you might think the Seminoles would be riding a high coming off the upset victory over the Tigers but that isn't the case.

"I think the best thing for us right now is to forget that Clemson game," senior guard Jason Rich said. "Any time that you win you do want to use the momentum to carry on but we haven't won two conference games in a row yet this year, so it just comes down to us needing to prepare for Boston College now.

"I know it is clich?but it is about one game at a time now."

Boston College (13-11, 4-7 ACC) is led by guard Tyrese Rice. The Virginia native is averaging just under 21 points per game, good for second best in the ACC. Obviously, for Florida State to be successful they will need to contain the talented junior.

"Rice is the head of the snake," Rich said. "Even with Rice being the scorer that he is you have to give him credit. He makes sure they are in their offense every time and he creates out of that."

It will take a team effort to slow down Rice but the individual player who will get the tough assignment more often than not is junior point guard Toney Douglas. Douglas is averaging 24 points per game over his last four while shooting 54-percent from the floor. While he can likely match Rice's scoring output, Douglas wants to contain Rice on the defensive end.

"He is one of the best guards in this league," Douglas said. "I am looking forward to the match-up. I enjoy playing the best guards in the league and he is definitely one of them. I know I have to be ready for him and I am going to be."

While Rice is the star of the show for the Eagles, he doesn't do it alone. Freshman guard Rakim Sanders has made a major impact averaging 12 points per game and nearly five rebounds. The starting five is rounded out by forwards Tyler Roche and John Oates as well as center Tyrelle Blair, who leads the ACC with 3.7 blocks per game. Shamari Spears provides 10 points off the bench in a sixth-man role.

"I think a lot of people don't give the other players on their team respect," Rich said. "It is rare to see them get outside their system."

The other characteristic that makes the Eagles a difficult opponent is that they play from the tip-off to the final whistle with a sense of urgency. And like Florida State, BC is in a fight to become eligible for postseason play, which should make the importance of Wednesday's matchup even more intense.

"They are a team that is not going to let up," Douglas said. "Everybody is fighting in the conference so we have to step our game up."

While another year in the NIT is a distinct possibility for Florida State, a berth in the NCAA Tournament is probably a major long shot at this stage. Nevertheless, the Seminole players are not willing to concede anything.

"We still have a chance," Douglas sad. "We have to win the rest of our games and do good in the ACC Tournament. We have to believe in ourselves because nobody else does.

"At the end of the day no matter how sloppy or how good it looks, we have to have more points than the other team."

The game will be broadcast by FSN Florida.

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