Preview #6: Florida State Seminoles

Last Season:  20-10, 9-7 ACC

Key Losses: Alexander Johnson, Todd Galloway, Diego Romero, Andrew Wilson

Backcourt: Leonard Hamilton has an incredibly deep backcourt that starts with juniors Isaiah Swann, Jason Rich, and Ralph Mims.  The 3 juniors will battle sophomore transfer Toney Douglas, senior Jerel Allen, and 2 talented freshmen for playing time.  Douglas averaged 16.9 ppg for Auburn as a freshman, but had a disagreement with Auburn coach, Jeff Lebo, as Douglas felt he was better suited at the point guard position.  The 6’1” Douglas has made it known that his aspirations are to play in the NBA, and he feels he is better suited playing point.  Also mixing it up in the backcourt will be senior Jerel Allen, who is a defensive minded shooting guard, Josue Soto, a 4 star freshman point guard, and Aaron Holmes, a 4 star freshman shooting guard.

Frontcourt: Leading the frontcourt, is combo forward Al Thornton, who showed off his NBA game last season, but decided he needed another year at FSU in lieu of entering the NBA draft.  Thornton, who is rather reserved off the court, dominated games last season, including when he scored 37 points against Boston College and Duke.  Thornton will be missing his frontcourt mate from a season ago, Alexander Johnson, who did declare for the draft, and unlike the backcourt, Leonard Hamilton does not have much depth.  Two sophomores, Uche Echefu and Casaan Breedan, provide most of the depth in the frontcourt.  Echefu was heavily recruited as a prep star, and will likely get the first look along side Thornton.  Echefu has the size and athleticism to make an impact, but needs to be more aggressive offensively and on the boards.  Hamilton will also have freshman, Ryan Reid, as an option.  Reid was ranked #92 nationally among incoming freshman.

Intangibles: Isaiah Swann has all the tools to be a spectacular player, but often gets reckless in his efforts.  Swann can be the kind of player that can change the game on both ends of the floor if Hamilton can rein him in.
Potential Breakout Player: Jason Rich is a talented scorer, and was Florida State’s 3^rd option last season (behind Thornton and Johnson).  Look for Rich to balance the looks that Thornton gets down low and score 14-16 points per game this season.

Summary: FSU is a very talented team, and could make a run for a conference championship, but need the following to happen:

• Interior Presence: Uche Echefu needs to step up and control the boards and allow Thornton to play all over the court
• Find a point guard: Toney Douglas needs to find the balance of scoring and creating for his teammates
• Juniors need to step up:  Jason Rich and Isaiah Swann need to step up and be more consistent for the Noles

If these things happen, the skies the limit for Florida State, but most likely this team will be looking at a NCAA bid and a middle of the pack finish in the conference.
Top Returning Fantasy Player: Al Thornton averaged 18.4 ppg, 6.9 rpg in conference play last season.

Up Next: #5 Virginia Tech Hokies