IN IT TO WIN IT

Hugh Durham (right) coached the Seminoles from 1966 to 1978, guiding the team to their first three NCAA Tournament appearances in program history. Though FSU lost in the first round in 1968 and 1978, Durham’s miracle Noles made a run to the National Championship Game against UCLA in 1972. FSU had just one losing season — his first — during Durham’s 12 seasons at the helm. Four were 20-win campaigns. “He always gave us a reason for doing something and he showed a lot of confidence. It radiated to the players and we seemingly always won,” said Naismith Basketball Hall-of-Famer Dave Cowens, who played under Durham for three seasons. “There are a lot of coaches around now who use Hugh’s game philosophy because they’ve seen him win.” Durham ended his tenure in Tallahassee with a 230-95 record and a program-best .708 winning percentage. He was inducted into the College Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016.