Leonard Hamilton compliments fan support in loss to North Carolina

Florida State head coach Leonard Hamilton complimented the Seminoles’ fans during a tight loss to North Carolina over the weekend.

He credited the fans for keeping FSU in the game, despite coming up short. It was a stark difference from earlier this season where perhaps the fans didn’t show out in droves.

Hamilton knows putting a competitive product on the floor is key to keeping the fanbase engaged and how the two go hand in hand in terms of success.

“Well, we’ve enjoyed tremendous fan support,” Hamilton said. “They’ve had a lot to do with the successes we’ve had here. Just just being there during the good times and the bad. All we got to do is just do our part. But we were who we were in the beginning of the season. I mean, we were not nearly as good as we are now. We didn’t have the quality of the depth and we got some guys back which helps.”

In the 75-68 loss, Florida State actually led 41-36 at halftime. However, the Tar Heels showed why they are one of the best teams in the country.

“And I think that we’re starting to have to show that the effort is there,” Hamilton said. “The potential for us to have a good season is still there. We just got to go out and do it. The fans … it was so loud that it was hard to communicate. I mean, I got a kid 10 feet from me and I can’t hear what he’s saying. 

“That’s part of the excitement of basketball. I gotta give the fans a big shout out because they had a lot to do with us competing with one of the top teams in the country.”

Amir Spears led the way with 15 points, four rebounds and three assists. Darin Green Jr. and Jamir Watkins each added 12 points Saturday.

Hamilton recently broke down how human nature has caught up to Florida State during ACC play.

“Human nature is what it is. I mean you have a tendency, regardless, when you go from being the hunter to the hunted. That’s a big change. It’s not easy to win five in a row in the ACC. People respect that. They’ve lost three of the last four. We won six of the last seven going into this game,” Hamilton said.

“That’s part of what separates good from great. Maturity will allow you to understand that the more success you have? The more focus you’ve got to have because now people are giving you their best shot every time you play. That’s a maturity aspect of the game. I thought we exposed a little immaturity by not understanding that you’ve got to turn it up a notch every time you play when you’ve got the bullseye on you.”