By Eugene Mulero

Contributing Columnist

Entering the round of sixteen, there were two ACC squads still seeing action in the Big Dance: Florida State and Syracuse. Heading into the Elite Eight, ACC teams are dancing no more.

In an NCAA tournament that will forever be linked to the demands of the COVID-19 pandemic, Florida State men’s basketball’s sensational season met its grand finale in the hands of Big Ten powerhouse Michigan on March 28.

For nearly the entire season, Leonard Hamilton had FSU playing one of the most entertaining styles of showtime-esque ball in the game. They built a reputation for deconstructing opponents with open-floor speed and fast-moving set plays. Their presence on the fast-break was menacing and intimidating. Opponents often scrambled to keep up with their guards. If rapid cuts to the basket didn’t hurt you, their second-chance, sometimes third-chance attempts on the offensive glass would do the trick. Their duration in the Top 25 throughout the season was enviable, and so was their intensity.

That is why it’s all the more unfortunate for the nation to have witnessed FSU run out of steam during their final game of the season. For the millions who tuned in, they caught a deflated FSU team. They were a step slower on the fastbreak, and a few inches short on their shots.

They had a few glimpses of glory. FSU almost managed to display the ACC’s quick-tempo brand of basketball, and the second half of the Michigan game was marked by tenacity. Their senior guard M.J. Walker bounced back from an ankle injury to push his teammates. Walker would finish the game with 10 points, two rebounds and two assists during 26 minutes on the floor. FSU’s freshman sensation (and NBA-bound) Scottie Barnes relied on agility and athleticism to penetrate the paint. He outhustled opponents on a few occasions, but just not enough to stay within reach. Barnes would finish the game with 8 points, a rebound and three assists during 25 minutes of action.

FSU’s undoing were 14 turnovers, as well as 15 missed three pointers, which Michigan turned into opportunities. And, the Seminoles’ guards collided with a traumatizing wall of big men who made scoring layups unthinkable.

The game changers had to be Wolverines’ big men who simply proved too much to handle on both ends of the floor, leading their squad to a 76-58 victory. The Michigan win ended FSU’s stellar brilliance for most of the year, as well as the ACC’s presence in the Dance (a day earlier Syracuse fell to Houston 62-46).

It’s without a doubt that Michigan is a favorite to return to campus as national champs. Their sound performance against the Seminoles elevated their status as one of three, probably four (eg, Gonzaga, Baylor, Houston) programs capable of dismantling tough opponents.

This columnist wishes the players, coaches and staff still dancing a safe and enjoyable remainder of the tournament. Count on the ACC to survive (and probably thrive during Transferfest 2021), and hit the court mega hard next season. Until then.

Eugene Mulero is a journalist based in Fairfax, Va. Reach him at cabrinilounge@gmail.com or @cabrinilounge.