So what next?

There were no excuses from the Noles after the game and that was good - any they offered would have sounded hollow. They were simply out-played by UNC, which certainly took advantage of having a first-round bye and also showed how much deeper it is by using so many players throughout the game.

FSU just looked tired. They played what most people thought was an elimination game yesterday and barely won it. Once they fell behind today, they didn't have the energy to come back. Phat Al Thornton said, "I think we were ready" but he sounded way, way too tired as he said it.

The question now is where the Noles next game will be played. They'll get into the NIT for sure, but will the NCAA tournament want them? They're the definition of a bubble team. Until the other conference tournaments are played out, it's hard to tell if there's room for them. Needless to say, FSU fans should be rooting for plenty of favored teams to win this weekend.

UNC coach Roy Williams was asked if he thinks FSU is a tournament team. Here's what he said: "I think they should be a tournament team, absolutely. I have trouble believing they're not one of the best 65 teams in the country. ... It'd be a shame if people didn't get to see Al Thornton in the NCAA tournament, too."

Ballgame; UNC beats FSU, 73-58

On the second-to-last possession, Toney Douglas just drove to the hoop and had his lay-up blocked by Danny Green. Douglas ended up on his back as the players went back the other way. It was a reasonable ending. Back with a wrap-up in a bit.

Start the bus

2:20 to go and FSU is down 68-54. Phat Al looks despondent on the bench. The fans behind me are screaming at the refs but it's hardly the zebras who are to blame today. Quite simply, FSU isn't on the same level as UNC.

UNC up 59-40, 7:44 left

Well, that run didn't exactly materialize. Phat Al picked up his fourth foul, Jerel Allen tried a three-pointer that was closer to mid-court than the foul line and the Noles have missed (by my count) at least three lay-ups this half. There's no question who the better team is today.

The FSU band, on the other hand, is doing a nice job. Solid Bon Jovi rendition earlier. They do NOT give love a bad name.

11:26 left, FSU trying to come back; UNC leads 52-40

Phat Al picked up his third foul a few moments ago and Hamilton took him out which I thought was a bit of a strange move. What are you saving him for? At this point, the game is going be either a blowout or competitive: why not leave your best player in and see if he can (carefully) help your team get back into it?

The Noles have lopped eight points off the deficit and are down 12. UNC doesn't look particularly rattled but the next few minutes are critical; get it into single digits by the under-8 timeout and it's a ballgame.

15:32 left, UNC up 48-28

This would be a huge rally if FSU even gets to within five or less at any point the rest of the way. Phat Al doesn't have his legs, Douglas is still playing poorly and the Heels are just carving FSU up. Wayne Ellington is leading the way for UNC - he's got 13 points.

St. Pete Times Forum - friend of the environment

Yup, the urinals in the press room are those cool Falcon Waterfree kind. Good to see the folks down here care about conservation.