Inside the box score: FSU-UNC

By Alexis Schulman, Warchant.com

Top performers

Teammates were ready for Dulkys' big night

Deividas Dulkys was not surprised by his 32-point performance. He knew he could shoot threes. So did his teammates and Coach Leonard Hamilton. They figured it was just a matter of time until Dulkys had a breakout night.

"There's no question that he's capable of doing this. He shoots that way everyday in practice," Hamilton said. "He's had a difficult time transferring that mental focus to the game, but Deividas is a very hard worker, he's a great teammate and a great student athlete. And he tries so very hard."

Michael Snaer agreed. "That was amazing (Saturday). He shot the ball well, had confidence. He's been up and down, but he comes through when you need him. I'm proud of him, I'm happy for him, I love him like he's my own brother. I'm happy for the guy," Snaer said.

Dulkys shot 8 of 10 from beyond the arc, a career-high. With that performance, his career total for 3-pointers reached 181 and allowed him to climb to No. 5 all-time at Florida State in 3-pointers made. He eclipsed both Isaiah Swann (172) and Toney Douglas (178).

Luke Loucks was a big part of the team's and Dulkys' success against UNC as the senior constantly fed the ball to the open man and was credited with six assists.

"Me and Deividas have been very close since we arrived on campus and we always want to see each other succeed. Deividas just had an unbelievable night and I was so happy for him. And I think that started in the first couple sequences, just kind of rooting each other on and finding the open man. As seniors, we've been around long enough to know that when you're open, you have to make them pay," Loucks said.

Dulkys did just that - and led the 'Noles to a rout of North Carolina.

Defense Shines

While the 'Noles faced little challenge offensively against North Carolina, it was their defensive effort that led to the win.

"We are a defensive-minded team and against Virginia Tech we grinded out that win. We knew we had to stop them because they're a very, very good team. And we stopped them and that's where all the easy baskets came from," Dulkys said. "Our offense comes from our defense. We get steals, we push the ball, we get easier baskets. Everybody played the way we're capable of. We defended, boxed guys out...it was a defensive effort by everybody."

The 'Noles held UNC's top players, Harrison Barnes, Tyler Zeller and John Henson, to 39 points. Barnes was held to just 15. None of the three, each of whom played for at least 25 minutes, were credited with an assist and the trio was responsible for a combined 10 turnovers. FSU forced 22 turnovers on the night.

"I think it was a team effort just defending their system. After he [Zeller] went 4 of 4 we told our guys to get their hands more in the passing lanes...He's a load and he's a handful. I don't think you stop guys like that. You just try to limit the clean looks they get and make them work for whatever they get," Hamilton said.

The 'Noles held Zeller to 6 of 8 from the floor, and though he did grab a game-high 14 rebounds, the post defense limited his second chance opportunities. UNC guard Kendall Marshall turned the ball over seven times and was held to six points.

"I think first of all, we respected North Carolina for how dangerous they are. They have a handful of guys who will go on to the next level and compete. I think we really respected how dangerous those guys were. Coach said that as a team, we can stop them, but as individuals, we'd get killed, if we played as individuals. We pressured Kendall [Marshall] a little and he had some tough times with our pressure and everyone else just played team defense and helped each other and I think it was a great formula for success," Loucks said.

Florida State Athletic Family

Leonard Hamilton wasn't the only Florida State head coach in the building on Saturday, but he was the only one on duty.

Jimbo Fisher and family attended the game and sat courtside to cheer on another part of the FSU athletic family. Fisher was animated while watching the game, cheering and participating in the tomahawk chop. Able to appreciate a shining athletic performance, Fisher gave Deividas Dulkys several standing ovations after the senior hit a few of his eight three-pointers.

Next up

Florida State plays host to Maryland (11-4) on Tuesday. The game tips off at 9 p.m.