ORLANDO -- Maybe they know. Or maybe they don't. The only surety for Dwayne Bacon, Jonathan Isaac and Xavier Rathan-Mayes is they're going to get asked repeatedly about their futures.
In a manner of speaking, the corpse of Florida State's season wasn't even cold. FSU (26-9) had its historic year ended with a 91-66 loss to Xavier (23-13) in a second-round NCAA Tournament game Saturday at the Amway Center.
Thirty minutes and two questions in, Isaac was already asked how long would it be until he decides to return to FSU or declare for the NBA Draft.
"I don't know," a dejected Isaac said in a tone that was low and monotone when compared to his normally outgoing persona.
The same went for Bacon and Rathan-Mayes.
"I'm not sure yet," Bacon said with a cadence similar to Isaac's. "I'm not even sure."
"Just go back to Tallahassee and regroup," Rathan-Mayes said. "Take a week or so off from basketball and get my body ready and get back to work. That's about it."
Rathan-Mayes did not elaborate on what he meant by "get back to work." Fans and pundits will attempt to read between the lines.
This is the reality for FSU's "Big Three" until the NBA's April 23 early entry deadline.
And here's the dilemma they all face. If they return, the Seminoles have all but two players -- center Michael Ojo and forward Jarquez Smith -- back from what might be the second-best team in school history. FSU has five commitments, and three of them are four-stars, including 6-foot-11 center Ikey Obiagu, who Rivals rates as the No. 68 player in the nation.
That would make FSU a legitimate ACC title favorite.
Or they could leave.
