Florida State Seminoles
2018-19 record: 29-8, 13-5 in the ACC
Head coach: Leonard Hamilton
Tenure at Florida State: 18th season
Career coaching record: 556-426
Home court: Donald L. Tucker Civic Center
Starters: G. Trent Forrest, G. M.J. Walker, F RaiQuan Gray, F Patrick Williams, C Dominick Olejiniczak
Bench: G Davin Vassell, G Anthony Polite, F Wyatt Wilkes, G Nate Jack
Overview:
The Seminoles return only one of their top-three scoring threats from last year’s team that made a run to the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA tournament and reached the ACC title game before falling to Duke. However, the lone returner and senior guard Trent Forrest may be just enough to power the Seminoles into contention for the ACC. Forrest is both considered a preseason All-ACC guard and on the Bob Cousey Award watch list.
Other than Forrest, the Seminoles only return one other starter in junior M.J. Walker, who is currently out with an injury, along with key sophomore guard Davin Vassell. Complementing the returning class is the 19th ranked recruiting class in the nation, headlined by five-star small forward Patrick Williams who looks to make an immediate impact in a team in need of some offensive firepower.
Expect to see a lot of youth in the Florida State lineup this season, as none of the returners averaged more than 10 points per game last season. The Seminoles lost their big man in 7-4 Chris Koumadje but are immediately bringing in two more 7-footers to complement their guard heavy lineup. The Seminoles are projected to finish fifth in the ACC, behind Virginia.
One thing that needs to go right: Forrest takes on a bigger scoring role than he has in the past and the Seminoles' strong recruiting class help Florida State develop into an ACC threat with the ability to once again make a run in the big dance.
One thing that could go wrong: Without injured players Walker and Vassell, the Seminoles falter early in the season and lose all momentum going into ACC play and limp their way into the conference tournament.
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