ACC Preview: #8 Florida State Seminoles

Projected Starters
C-Uche Echefu 6'9 225 SO- 2.3ppg 1.4rpg 45%FG 55%FT
PF-Al Thornton 6'7 208 SR- 16.1ppg 6.9rpg 52%FG 74%FT
SF-Jason Rich 6'3 200 JR- 10.0ppg 3.1rpg 47%FG 18%3pt
SG-Isaiah Swann 6'1 195 JR- 8.4ppg 2.9apg 44%FG 33%3pt
PG-Toney Douglas 6'1 185 SO- Transfer from Auburn

Background
Florida State posted a respectable 9-7 record in the ACC last season, a season that would normally qualify for the NCAA tournament. Instead, the Seminoles were snubbed in favor of teams like Air Force and Utah State mostly due to a ghastly strength of schedule and RPI, combined with a lack of quality wins. This year, FSU has learned their lesson and packed their schedule with difficult road games to go along with a tough ACC slate.

Premiere Players
You must begin with Al Thornton when talking about the Seminoles. He is seemingly a lock for first team all-ACC honors and might qualify for first team all-American by the end of the season. He is undoubtedly the best mid-range shooter in the ACC, with an uncanny ability for getting great looks at the basket and nailing easy jumpers, converting usually on a very high percentage. He proved his worth dropping 40+ points on Duke and Boston College in the middle of last season. With his height, Thornton can easily transition to a dominating post presence from an outside threat when utilizing his versatile game on any opponent, regardless of their defense. Jason Rich is the other double-digit scorer returning. His outside shot and perimeter game needs work, but that might not be needed for the Seminoles and their deep backcourt. Rich loves to attack the basket and play bigger than his size, which will prove as a small touch of improvement on a strong weakness heading into the season.

Role Players
Thornton will have to do much of the frontcourt work himself for FSU. They will desperately miss the presence of Alexander Johnson in the post this upcoming season when ACC teams are making the Seminoles look foolish trying to rebound. The other frontcourt players, Echefu, Casaan Breeden and Matt Zitani, are not ready to start. The guards include a transfer from Auburn in Toney Douglas, who will take all point guard duties and should relish in the role once he gets some early year seasoning. Douglas can also shoot and play without the ball, but the other parts of his game will be shown off for Florida State. Also starting is guard Isiah Swann and a bench pretty rich in guard depth. They’ll likely be utilizing these guards more and more often in small lineups with their lack of frontcourt talent. The Seminoles will attempt to out-shoot and out-score teams rather than rely on strong defense and rebounding.

Final Thoughts
It’s going to be a major, major struggle for coach Leonard Hamilton to find the right lineups and create some form of chemistry within the team. Thornton will want the ball at all times and be looking for a shot, equivalent to Kobe with the Lakers. Douglas is a transfer and might go through some learning waves manning this new role. Hamilton also has some holes than need to be sown very quickly for Florida State to have a chance at the NCAA Tournament. Right now, I’m seeing more NIT in the future.

Schedule and Projection
11/12 vs. McNeese State- W
11/13 vs. Illinois State- W
11/14 vs. Southern Methodist- W
11/19 vs. New Orleans- W
11/24 @ Pittsburgh- L
11/28 @ Wisconsin- L
12/3 vs. Florida- L
12/5 @ Stetson- W
12/7 @ Georgia State- W
12/10 vs. SE Louisiana- W
12/18 vs. High Point- W
12/21 vs. Coastal Carolina- W
12/23 vs. St. Peter’s- W
12/29 (N) vs. Providence- W
1/3 vs. Clemson- W
1/7 @ North Carolina- L
1/13 @ Georgia Tech- L
1/17 vs. Virginia Tech- W
1/20 vs. Miami- W
1/23 @ Boston College- L
1/27 vs. Wake Forest- W
1/30 vs. Maryland- W
2/4 @ Duke- L
2/7 @ Clemson- L
2/11 vs. Boston College- L
2/13 vs. Georgia Tech- L
2/17 @ Virginia- L
2/21 @ Maryland- L
2/24 vs. NC State- W
3/3 @ Miami- W

Projected Record: 18-12 (7-9)