The achievement passed with scant recognition, lost in the run-up to the ACC Tournament and the season’s sudden shutdown. But, in its 29th year in the conference, Florida State notched a notable first, finished alone atop the ACC’s regular-season standings at 16-4.
Three of the league’s recognized powers – Duke, Louisville and Virginia, all national champs within the previous seven seasons – finished tied for second place, a game off FSU’s pace. Leonard Hamilton’s club swept Louisville, lost at Duke and split with Virginia.
That was just the second time FSU earned an ACC championship, after the 2012 ACC Tournament title that brings with it the league’s automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.