Top 3 Reasons FSU Basketball Can Win The ACC This Season
With FSU basketball just weeks away from starting their 2016-17 season, we take a look at the three reasons why the ‘Noles can win the ACC this season.
In less than three weeks, head coach Leonard Hamilton and the Florida State Seminoles will head back to the court and start the 2016-17 season. It’s a year that has plenty of hope and promise – and has some fans wondering if this is finally the year the ‘Noles get back to the NCAA Tournament.
If FSU basketball does make it back to the big dance, it will be the first time since the 2011-12 season – also the first and only time that the Seminoles have bought home an ACC Championship since joining the conference a quarter century ago.
While the Seminoles have been the third winningest program in the conference over the last decade, there are some who don’t think the ‘Noles have a chance to bring home a second conference title this season. Hamilton, along with star players like Dwayne Bacon and Xavier Rathan-Mayes, are out to prove them wrong.
Here are the top three reasons why FSU basketball can win the ACC this season.
Mar 9, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Florida State Seminoles guard Dwayne Bacon (4) shoots the ball as Virginia Tech Hokies forward Kerry Blackshear Jr. (24) defends in the first half during day two of the ACC conference tournament at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
No. 1 – This may be the most talented roster since Leonard Hamilton became the head coach in 2002
To say that the Seminoles got lucky with the decision by both Bacon and Rathan-Mayes to return to school might be an understatement. After a stellar freshman season for Bacon and sophomore campaign for XRM, there was a legit chance both could have left school and been picked by the NBA.
Instead, the ‘Noles get both of their best players from last season back (only losing Malik Beasley in the process, which we will admit will be big shoes to fill) to go along with a top 10 recruiting class, led by one of the top recruits in the nation in forward Jonathan Isaac.
Add in role players like Terance Mann, Phil Cofer and Michael Ojo and you have a ‘Noles team that easily has the most talent on paper over the last decade and a half.
Feb 9, 2015; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles forward Phil Cofer (0) dunks the ball over Duke Blue Devils center Jahlil Okafor (15) during the first half of the game at the Donald L. Tucker Center. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports
No. 2 – FSU basketball has plenty of chances to gain early momentum with a favorable schedule
Playing in the ACC and having a non-confernce slate featuring teams that played in the NCAA Tournament is nothing out of the ordinary for the Seminoles. Each season, the schedule is chalked full of roadblocks that have kept the ‘Noles from dancing.
This season, FSU basketball will have plenty of chances to get some big early season wins in both ACC and non-conference play to get their momentum going to the point they think they can win the conference and get back to the NCAA Tournament.
Non-conference games include Temple, Minnesota, George Washington and Florida – while the ACC slate includes five of their first seven games at home. If the ‘Noles can have a winning record in that stretch – games that include Duke, Louisville, Notre Dame and North Carolina – things will be looking up.
Oct 16, 2013; Charlotte, NC, USA; Florida State Seminoles head basketball coach Leonard Hamilton addresses the media on ACC basketball media day at The Ritz-Carlton. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports
No. 3 – Leonard Hamilton needs to win another title to validate his time in Tallahassee
Even the biggest Seminole homer out there will admit that the basketball program has never been a dominant one and something to hang our hat on – outside of a few good seasons here and there over their history.
When Hamilton came in before the 2002-03 season, many thought that he was going to be the answer and turn FSU basketball into a team that was dancing every year and bringing home multiple conference and tournament titles (even thought he had just won one conference title in his 13 combined seasons at Oklahoma State and Miami and been to just three NCAA tournaments).
In 14 seasons with the Seminoles, Hamilton has led FSU to four NCAA appearances and brought home that one ACC championship, won in the annual postseason tournament. With a nearly .600 winning percentage in Tallahassee, Hamilton’s job is not in jeopardy if the ‘Noles don’t do something this year – but the seat will get warmer…and that’s enough to get this team motivated to win the conference and help their coach out.
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