The Daily Nole

FSU Hoops: Defense Critical to Noles’ Improvement

wlpearce.com/FSU athletics

If there is one thing Florida State head coach Leonard Hamilton’s teams have been known for over the years, it’s been an ability to get stops.

Defense has been the cornerstone of the program since Hamilton took over 15 years ago. It was a swarming defense that allowed the Seminoles to reach the Sweet 16 in 2011 and win their only ACC title in 2012. Last season however, the FSU defense had not only taken a step back, it was one of the worst in the ACC.

“We had a lot of things we needed to improve on from last year,” Hamilton said. “We did not come anywhere close to playing the level of defense we were accustomed to.”

The Seminoles ranked just 13th out of 15 teams in the conference in both scoring and field goal percentage defense. What made last season’s effort on the defensive end so disappointing is that FSU had one of its most talented offensive teams in a long time with Xavier Rathan-Mayes, McDonald’s All-American Dwayne Bacon and NBA first round pick Malik Beasley sharing a backcourt.

“I want to really be one of the leaders of our defense,” Rathan-Mayes said during ACC media days. “I’m looked on as one of the leaders of our defense – a guy who picks up the ball 94 feet.”

Thanks largely to a poor defensive showing during the 2015-16 campaign, the Seminoles missed the NCAA Tournament for a fourth straight season. Though Beasley left the program after just one year, FSU will again be talented.

Rathan-Mayes returns after the leading the team in assists as does Bacon who led the team in scoring and rebounding last season. On top of that, the Seminoles will welcome in one of their most highly-acclaimed recruits ever in forward Jonathan Isaac. Isaac headlines a top 15 recruiting class that brings in six new faces.

“My expectations for us is just to compete at the highest level we can and to compete on defense, because that’s something we really didn’t do last year,” Bacon said. “If we can just buy in on defense, who knows where it will take us?”

FSU will be replacing some key defenders. Montay Brandon, a slasher, was one of the best on-the-ball defenders for the Seminoles last season. The Seminoles will also be replacing steals leader Devon Bookert and blocked shots leader Boris Bojanovsky.

An area where the Seminoles struggled to defend last season however, was on the block. Much of that had to do with injuries to center Michael Ojo and forward Phil Cofer. Ojo, a 7-1, 305-pound veteran, missed all of last season with a knee injury while Cofer was sidelined with an ankle injury after appearing in just 11 games.

“What happened with Cofer and Ojo, they were our most physical guys,” Hamilton said. “One of the things we needed to do was improve our depth which allows us to play defense for a more extended period of time.”

After missing the NCAA Tournament in four straight seasons, Hamilton enters the 2016-17 season with more heat from the fan base than in years past. With two of its top three scorers returning and one of the nation’s top recruiting classes, points shouldn’t be hard to come by. Getting off the schneid when it comes to making the dance will come down to defense.

Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson

215 Comments

  1. Pingback: مرتبات جامعة المستقبل

  2. Pingback: Staff Directory Faculty of economics & political science

  3. Pingback: Quality of life

  4. Pingback: Periodontology

  5. Pingback: engineering curriculum

  6. Pingback: ماجستير في إدارة الأعمال في FUE

  7. Pingback: Biomedical Engineering

  8. Pingback: Student Handbook

  9. Pingback: Computer Science Programs in Egypt

  10. Pingback: برامج الإقامة في طب الأسنان

  11. Pingback: https://www.kooky.domains/post/decentralized-web3-domains

  12. Pingback: https://www.kooky.domains/post/the-advantages-of-decentralized-applications-for-web3-domains

  13. Pingback: Course Load

  14. Pingback: كلية إدارة الأعمال في مصر

  15. Pingback: Higher education in economics

  16. Pingback: Pharmacy's PHD

  17. Pingback: research activities for faculty of pharmacy at future university

  18. Pingback: Diagnostic and Treatment skills

  19. Pingback: how many years of study in the College of Engineering

  20. Pingback: الانسحاب من الفصل الدراسي

  21. Pingback: Biochemistry

  22. Pingback: Entrance exams for future university

  23. Pingback: future University application form

  24. Pingback: رسوم التقديم لجامعة المستقبل

  25. Pingback: Maillot de football

  26. Pingback: Maillot de football

  27. Pingback: Maillot de football

  28. Pingback: Maillot de football

  29. Pingback: Maillot de football

  30. Pingback: Maillot de football

  31. Pingback: Maillot de football

  32. Pingback: Maillot de football

  33. Pingback: Maillot de football

  34. Pingback: Maillot de football

  35. Pingback: Maillot de football

  36. Pingback: Maillot de football

  37. Pingback: SEOSolutionVIP Fiverr

  38. Pingback: SEOSolutionVIP Fiverr

  39. Pingback: striscia led cucina

  40. Pingback: pannelli led design

  41. Pingback: abducteurs muscles

  42. Pingback: panantukan

  43. Pingback: ufc cage

  44. Pingback: Fiverr Earn

  45. Pingback: Fiverr Earn

  46. Pingback: Fiverr Earn

  47. Pingback: Fiverr Earn

  48. Pingback: Fiverr Earn

  49. Pingback: Fiverr Earn

  50. Pingback: Fiverr Earn

  51. Pingback: Fiverr Earn

  52. Pingback: Illuminazione cucina

  53. Pingback: fiverrearn.com

  54. Pingback: fiverrearn.com

  55. Pingback: fiverrearn.com

  56. Pingback: fiverrearn.com

  57. Pingback: fiverrearn.com

  58. Pingback: Advance-Esthetic LLC

  59. Pingback: fiverrearn.com

  60. Pingback: cortexi mediprime

  61. Pingback: glucotrust buy

  62. Pingback: flatbed broker

  63. Pingback: clothes manufacturer mexico

  64. Pingback: clima para hoy

  65. Pingback: fiverrearn.com

  66. Pingback: fiverrearn.com

  67. Pingback: french bulldog puppies

  68. Pingback: fiverrearn.com

  69. Pingback: fiverrearn.com

  70. Pingback: aussiechon puppies

  71. Pingback: chiweenie lifespan

  72. Pingback: mini bulldog

  73. Pingback: goldendoodle kennel club

  74. Pingback: jute vs sisal rug

  75. Pingback: Yo.fan approval

  76. Pingback: Top university in Egypt

  77. Pingback: Private universities in Egypt

  78. Pingback: Best university in Egypt

  79. Pingback: Best university in Egypt

  80. Pingback: isla mujeres golf carts

  81. Pingback: isla mujeres

  82. Pingback: isla paddle board

  83. Pingback: brindle french bulldog

  84. Pingback: can frenchies eat potatoes

  85. Pingback: french bulldog colors

  86. Pingback: blockchain

  87. Pingback: clima destin florida

  88. Pingback: mini frenchie for sale

  89. Pingback: french bulldogs in texas for sale

  90. Pingback: Copper ring for women

  91. Pingback: Samsung phone

  92. Pingback: future university

  93. Pingback: future university

  94. Pingback: future university

  95. Pingback: golf cart isla mujeres

  96. Pingback: multisbobet

  97. Pingback: isla mujeres golf cart

  98. Pingback: seo company johannesburg

  99. Pingback: french bulldogs

  100. Pingback: Fiverr.Com

  101. Pingback: french bulldog

  102. Pingback: future university

  103. Pingback: french bulldog puppies

  104. Pingback: french bulldog puppies

  105. Pingback: french bulldog

  106. Pingback: Business improvement consultancy

  107. Pingback: Piano moving

  108. Pingback: Upright piano moving

  109. Pingback: FUE

  110. Pingback: FUE

  111. Pingback: FUE

  112. Pingback: FUE

  113. Pingback: FUE

  114. Pingback: FUE

  115. Pingback: FUE

  116. Pingback: Moving consultation

  117. Pingback: Marketing and sales courses in Cairo

  118. Pingback: Classic Books 500

  119. Pingback: FiverrEarn

  120. Pingback: FiverrEarn

  121. Pingback: Free Local Classified Ads

  122. Pingback: Sell Anything for Free

  123. Pingback: FiverrEarn

  124. Pingback: FiverrEarn

  125. Pingback: FiverrEarn

  126. Pingback: Coach

  127. Pingback: Escorts Australia

  128. Pingback: pupuk anorganik dan pupuk organik

  129. Pingback: Pupuk Organik terpercaya dan terbaik di pupukanorganik.com

  130. Pingback: Unisex On-Demand Print Shop

  131. Pingback: partners

  132. Pingback: Globalization

  133. Pingback: STUDY ABROAD CONSULTANT IN KOTTAYAM

  134. Pingback: How many years is pharmacy in Egypt

  135. Pingback: endopeak

  136. Pingback: french bulldog puppies for sale

  137. Pingback: Betting

  138. Pingback: FiverrEarn

  139. Pingback: FiverrEarn

  140. Pingback: live sex cams

  141. Pingback: live sex cams

  142. Pingback: FiverrEarn

  143. Pingback: FiverrEarn

  144. Pingback: FiverrEarn

  145. Pingback: french bulldog texas

  146. Pingback: french bulldog san antonio

  147. Pingback: FiverrEarn

  148. Pingback: FiverrEarn

  149. Pingback: FiverrEarn

  150. Pingback: FiverrEarn

  151. Pingback: FiverrEarn

  152. Pingback: Private University in Yemen

  153. Pingback: FiverrEarn

  154. Pingback: FiverrEarn

  155. Pingback: FiverrEarn

  156. Pingback: FiverrEarn

  157. Pingback: Natural Food

  158. Pingback: winter Lightroom presets

  159. Pingback: Best Lightroom Presets

  160. Pingback: social media marketing

  161. Pingback: Scientific Research

  162. Pingback: Kuliah Termurah

  163. Pingback: FiverrEarn

  164. Pingback: FiverrEarn

  165. Pingback: FiverrEarn

  166. Pingback: FiverrEarn

  167. Pingback: FiverrEarn

  168. Pingback: FiverrEarn

  169. Pingback: FiverrEarn

  170. Pingback: FiverrEarn

  171. Pingback: Generator Repair near me Manchester

  172. Pingback: red boost legit

  173. Pingback: cheap sex cams

  174. Pingback: fullersears.com

  175. Pingback: fullersears.com

  176. Pingback: fullersears.com

  177. Pingback: fullersears.com

  178. Pingback: dog probiotics

  179. Pingback: french bulldog

  180. Pingback: live sex cams

  181. Pingback: marketplace

  182. Pingback: rare breed-trigger

  183. Pingback: Creditos fiscales

  184. Pingback: Ice Kream Vapes

  185. Pingback: laundry service near me

  186. Pingback: 늑대닷컴

  187. Pingback: Judi online

  188. Pingback: nangs sydney

  189. Pingback: freelance web designer Singapore

  190. Pingback: allgame

  191. Pingback: 918kiss

  192. Pingback: หวย24

  193. Pingback: Best sunscreen

  194. Pingback: bulldog with clothes

  195. Pingback: pg slot

  196. Pingback: AI Lawyer

  197. Pingback: regles 421

  198. Pingback: aplikasi judi online24jam terpercaya slot

  199. Pingback: Dating Coach in London

  200. Pingback: catskills hotel

  201. Pingback: hotel on lake placid

  202. Pingback: nutritional supplements

  203. Pingback: megagame

  204. Pingback: evisa

  205. Pingback: 6.5 prc ammo

  206. Pingback: weight loss injection

  207. Pingback: 6.5 grendel ammo

  208. Pingback: SaaS Law Firm

  209. Pingback: itsMasum.Com

  210. Pingback: 2 catégories de logiciels malveillants

  211. Pingback: comment signaler un mail frauduleux

  212. Pingback: catégorie de logiciels malveillants

  213. Pingback: quick nangs delivery

  214. Pingback: nangs Sydney

  215. Pingback: chauffe eau Tours

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply