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Florida State guards Jason Rich, Isaiah Swann and Toney Douglas are only going to say this once.This season, the Seminoles don't want to hear anything about bubbles or fences.After missing the NCAA Tournament by a gnat's eyelash in two straight seasons and now without NBA lottery pick Al Thornton, the trio of veteran guards are responsible for making sure FSU gets in with room to spare.The Noles know disappointment. Two seasons ago, they beat a highly ranked Duke team and went 9-7 in the ACC. They had to beat Wake Forest in the ACC Tournament's first round, didn't, and missed the NCAA.Last season, FSU beat eventual national champion Florida and won at Duke. But Boston College delivered killer blows, beating the Seminoles twice, both on the final shot. FSU went 7-9 in ACC play."We learned the hard way that every possession counts, team defense counts, you know what I'm saying?" Douglas said. "It's not the coaches. it's us players. We gotta go out and do it."Rich said the Seminoles have to avoid an early skid, like last season's 0-3 start in the ACC, and not give the tournament committee late reasons to doubt FSU's credentials.FSU coach Leonard Hamilton said it's OK if the pain lingers."Whatever it takes to motivate a player, I'm all for it," Hamilton said. "But we lost three games [last season] on the last possession. We could have run the floor a little harder, defended a little better, had better shot selection."
luciana.chavez@newsobserver.com or (919) 829-4864
