March 17, 2008

Ira Schoffel, Osceola
Warchant.com

As his senior season comes to a close, it would be understandable if Jason Rich focused on the one goal he failed to accomplish.

After all, a large reason he and fellow seniors Ralph Mims and Isaiah Swann selected Florida State during the recruiting process was to help rebuild the Seminoles' program; they wanted to help FSU end its NCAA Tournament drought.

And yet four years later, the drought continues.

But Rich and his fellow seniors insist they see the bigger picture. Though they will finish their collegiate careers without ever having attended "The Big Dance," they know they have accomplished a great deal.

With a victory Tuesday night against Akron, the Seminoles will have won 20 games each of the past three seasons - Florida State has accomplished that feat only once in school history (1960-62).

And, perhaps more importantly, they've displayed a level of passion and commitment this season that could set the standard for years to come. Despite losing four scholarship players to injury or transfer - and two others for a lengthy stretch in the middle of the season - the Seminoles showed incredible resilience in winning five of their last seven games.

"I've had officials say that to me before games," Rich said. "Despite the circumstances, we've continued to compete. That's good for us as a basketball program."

Rich hopes that competitive spirit will be embraced by Florida State's younger players for years to come. And that really is the driving force behind the Seminoles' mission in this year's NIT - helping the Seminoles' freshmen and sophomores build a foundation for the future.

Every game that Florida State plays in the NIT will be one more opportunity for youngsters like freshman forward Julian Vaughn, freshman forward Jordan DeMercy and sophomore forward Ryan Reid to continue the improvement that has helped Florida State (19-14) win five of its last seven games.

"I think we're seeing some improvement in Julian and Jordan, and Ryan Reid is making some plays, getting some tough offensive rebounds in there," Rich said. "I feel like we need to keep playing. For us [seniors], to further our college careers here. And for those younger guys, this could be a great building block for them, developing more maturity and togetherness for next year."

The feeling is mutual.

As excited as the veterans are to see their younger teammates continue to blossom, the freshmen are hoping a run in the NIT will give the Seminoles' seniors one last chance to go out on top.

"We want to get the seniors as many games as we can," Vaughn said. "The goal right now is to win the whole thing."

For that to happen, the Seminoles will have to beat Akron and win two more games before advancing to the NIT Final Four at Madison Square Garden. The Seminoles were one victory away from reaching that destination last season, when they fell to Mississippi State in the NIT's third round.

While an NIT title might not completely erase the frustration of never reaching the NCAA tournament, it would be a welcome end for FSU's seniors.

"I would love to be able to hoist some kind of trophy," Rich said.

More on Rich

* When he steps on the court tonight, Rich will tie former FSU guard Andrew Wilson's record for the most games played as a Seminole with 129. He could eclipse that mark if FSU advances to the second round.

* With 1,308 career points, Rich checks in at No. 17 on the all-time FSU scoring list and has a chance to move up another spot or two with a strong run in the postseason.

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