Sports Saturdays: The Best FSU Basketball Finishes EVER

It seems like for years FSU was always on the wrong end of game winning buzzer beaters in basketball. For the longest period of time, the only difference between an NIT-bound Noles basketball team and the NCAA tournament was a handful of last second losses. Then, a couple years ago, the worm turned and since that time, FSU has returned the favor with dividends. Here are a couple of the most exciting last second finishes FSU has had in recent history:

  

2013: Florida State 60-57 Clemson, Tallahassee FL

Thursday night was another example, when after trailing by as much as 12 points to Clemson the entire game, FSU pulled within range in the closing minutes and Michael Snaer hit a game winning 3pt shot with just 0.2 seconds. It was his 3rd game winning 3 in just a year and a half.

2012: ACC Championship Florida State 85-82 North Carolina, Greensboro, NC

After leading practically the entire game, including a double digit lead midway into the 2nd half, FSU could only watch helplessly as UNC chipped away bit by bit and FSU's hope of their first ever ACC basketball championship began to slip away. Up by just 1 point with seconds left, the Nole defense held and a couple of critical free throws by Dulkys sealed the deal. A desperation 3 by UNC just barely missed, and FSU took home the hardware! The last minute of the game took about 13 minutes of real time, but it's worth reliving:

2012: Florida State 63-60 Virginia, Charlottesville VA

Another 3pt buzzer beater shot from last season, this one taken by Ian Miller. I'm not entirely sure, but I think this was another game that FSU was losing up until the very end.

2012: Florida State 48-47 Virginia Tech, Tallahassee FL

I have a confession to make about this game. Last season I went to practically ever home game and always sat in the very front row of the student section next to the band. (I was even fortunate enough to get one of only 2 front row student seats at the Duke game.) I was at this game... and I left with about a minute left. That's right, I left. It was one of the most annoying, frustrating games I have ever been to. FSU was in first place in the ACC, which was unbelievable. We had just come off a last second victory against Duke (coming up soon on the list) and we were playing like one of the best teams in the country... until this game. It was horrible. We couldn't score, we turned the ball over, it was just a nasty, low scoring game, and I was mad. FSU was down by double digits with about a minute left, and I figured that was just too much. To put that into perspective, that's like being down 21 points with 2 minutes left in a football game. What transpired next was unbelievable. After walking several blocks to my car and driving about 15 minutes towards my house, I decided to turn on the radio to listen to the post game and see how much we ultimately lost by. THE GAME WAS STILL GOING ON. And as I sat at a red light, I listened to Michael Snaer drain the game winning 3 at the buzzer. I went crazy. VT hadn't been able to make a free throw to save their life and we ended up scoring the last 11pts of the game, to pull off one of the most improbable victories I've ever heard of. Do I wish I had staid? Of course. I don't regret my decision though. No matter how rabid a fan I am, it's important to remember that sports above all else is entertainment, and when it's making you're upset or your not enjoying yourself, it's best to walk away. And besides, who knows... had I been there ragging on their shooters like I always did in the front row, maybe they would've made the shots!

2012: Florida State 76-73 Duke, Durham NC

One of the most exciting, back and forth games I have ever watched. FSU led late, but with seconds remaining Duke managed to tie the game. It looked like we were headed to OT for sure, when Luke Loucks made an amazing pass to a wide open Michael Snaer, who hit his first ever game winning, buzzer beater, 3pt shot. The Cameron Crazies went silent.

2009: Old Spice Classic Championship Florida State 57-56 Marquette, Orlando FL

I distinctly recall watching this game at my grandparent's house down in Miami. Why do I say that? I don't know, but it does illustrate how much it stuck with me. This is one of the most exciting last couple of minutes to a basketball game I've ever seen. Back and forth back and forth. Up until the 1:20ish mark, FSU's only lead of the game was when it was 2-0. The last minute though, the lead would change several times but FSU came out on top. Side note: How long has Joey Moreau been here????

 

2009: ACC Tournament Florida State 73-70 North Carolina, Atlanta GA

Another back and forth game, this win garnered FSU its first ever trip to the ACC Championship Game. The fact it came against UNC and Tyler Hansbrough was only a bonus. 

2009: ACC Tournament Florida State 64-62 Georgia Tech, Atlanta GA

Dewin Kitchen saved the day in FSU's first round ACC tournament game in 2009. It was a close game as GT was the upset underdog playing in front of a home crowd.

2002: Florida State 77-76 Duke, Tallahassee FL

We go WAYYYYYYYY back for this one. Before regular NCAA tournament appearances, before almost annual NBA draft picks, before Leonard Hamilton... there was this. It was the first time FSU beat a #1 ranked Duke team, something that has happened two more times since. Of those 3 mega victories... I was at all three. Enjoy!

So what did you think? Which victory do you think was the most exciting? Which do you think was ultimately the most important? Leave your comments below or on facebook!

-JT