FSU Basketball Takes Home Finale Behind Kiel Turpin

Playing his final home game in garnet and gold, Kiel Turpin turned in an inspired performance this afternoon in leading FSU basketball to a 61-52 win over the Pittsburgh Panthers. The win helped the ‘Noles finish the regular season above .500, at 16-15, and win at least eight ACC games for a school-record seventh straight year.

Florida State led for just about all of this one after getting off to a quick 6-0 start. Pitt grabbed the lead for just 2:36 of the first half, despite myriad Seminole mistakes that resulted in 19 FSU turnovers. The Panthers came up with just 10 points off those turnovers, however, as the ‘Nole length bothered Pitt throughout and yielded just 14 points in the paint. It looked like the Panthers might hang around from long range when they started 3-4 on threes, but they made just 2 of their next 17 and wound up at 33% from the floor for the day. Said Pitt coach Jamie Dixon: “I wish we would have shot it better. Their defense had something to do with that.”

When FSU wasn’t turning it over, the Seminoles were actually quite efficient on offense. They finished at 48% overall and were 5-9 from deep. However, having as many turnovers as field goals, like the ‘Noles did in this one, isn’t going to equate to many offensive fireworks. Topping the scoresheet for FSU was freshman guard Xavier Rathan-Mayes, who had a game-high 19 points on 5-8 shooting, including 2-3 from beyond the arc.

But again, the story was Turpin. He opened the Florida State scoring with a jumper on the Seminoles’ first possession, and closed the game out when he blocked Josh Newkirk’s driving layup as time wound down. He secured the rebound, as well, finishing with 10 points, on 5-6 shooting, along with five rebounds, two blocks, and a steal. What’s even more impressive is that he produced so prolifically in just 16 minutes. FSU coach Leonard Hamilton spoke of Turpin after the game, admitting that “I always get emotional when I talk about Kiel.” Hamilton called Turpin a “model citizen,” “class act,” and “one of the good guys.”

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Turpin didn’t care about his own stats, saying “I just wanted a W.” But he admitted, after a memorable second-half bank shot to beat the shot clock, that he was actually aiming for the rim. Turpin said, as he laughed at himself, that when that one went in, he knew it was “just one of those days.” When Hamilton took Turpin out one last time, he received a standing ovation, and he told me that he “tried not to look at [his] mom,” because he knew that doing so would make him cry. “That was pretty emotional,” said Turpin of his final exit at the Tucker Center.

But Turpin was also quick to point out that he’s not done yet, as the ACC Tourney looms. What remains now is to await the result of today’s Clemson at Notre Dame game, to see where the ‘Noles will be seeded in next week’s ACC Tournament. If the 12th-ranked Irish top the Tigers, FSU will be the 9-seed, otherwise, they’ll be seeded 10th.

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