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.â€
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?â€
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
Pingback: مرتبات جامعة المستقبل
Pingback: Staff Directory Faculty of economics & political science
Pingback: Quality of life
Pingback: Periodontology
Pingback: engineering curriculum
Pingback: ماجستير في إدارة الأعمال في FUE
Pingback: Biomedical Engineering
Pingback: Student Handbook
Pingback: Computer Science Programs in Egypt
Pingback: برامج الإقامة في طب الأسنان
Pingback: https://www.kooky.domains/post/decentralized-web3-domains
Pingback: https://www.kooky.domains/post/the-advantages-of-decentralized-applications-for-web3-domains
Pingback: Course Load
Pingback: كلية إدارة الأعمال في مصر
Pingback: Higher education in economics
Pingback: Pharmacy's PHD
Pingback: research activities for faculty of pharmacy at future university
Pingback: Diagnostic and Treatment skills
Pingback: how many years of study in the College of Engineering
Pingback: الانسحاب من الفصل الدراسي
Pingback: Biochemistry
Pingback: Entrance exams for future university
Pingback: future University application form
Pingback: رسوم التقديم لجامعة المستقبل
Pingback: Maillot de football
Pingback: Maillot de football
Pingback: Maillot de football
Pingback: Maillot de football
Pingback: Maillot de football
Pingback: Maillot de football
Pingback: Maillot de football
Pingback: Maillot de football
Pingback: Maillot de football
Pingback: Maillot de football
Pingback: Maillot de football
Pingback: Maillot de football
Pingback: SEOSolutionVIP Fiverr
Pingback: SEOSolutionVIP Fiverr
Pingback: striscia led cucina
Pingback: pannelli led design
Pingback: abducteurs muscles
Pingback: panantukan
Pingback: ufc cage
Pingback: Fiverr Earn
Pingback: Fiverr Earn
Pingback: Fiverr Earn
Pingback: Fiverr Earn
Pingback: Fiverr Earn
Pingback: Fiverr Earn
Pingback: Fiverr Earn
Pingback: Fiverr Earn
Pingback: Illuminazione cucina
Pingback: fiverrearn.com
Pingback: fiverrearn.com
Pingback: fiverrearn.com
Pingback: fiverrearn.com
Pingback: fiverrearn.com
Pingback: Advance-Esthetic LLC
Pingback: fiverrearn.com
Pingback: cortexi mediprime
Pingback: glucotrust buy
Pingback: flatbed broker
Pingback: clothes manufacturer mexico
Pingback: clima para hoy
Pingback: fiverrearn.com
Pingback: fiverrearn.com
Pingback: french bulldog puppies
Pingback: fiverrearn.com
Pingback: fiverrearn.com
Pingback: aussiechon puppies
Pingback: chiweenie lifespan
Pingback: mini bulldog
Pingback: goldendoodle kennel club
Pingback: jute vs sisal rug
Pingback: Yo.fan approval
Pingback: Top university in Egypt
Pingback: Private universities in Egypt
Pingback: Best university in Egypt
Pingback: Best university in Egypt
Pingback: isla mujeres golf carts
Pingback: isla mujeres
Pingback: isla paddle board
Pingback: brindle french bulldog
Pingback: can frenchies eat potatoes
Pingback: french bulldog colors
Pingback: blockchain
Pingback: clima destin florida
Pingback: mini frenchie for sale
Pingback: french bulldogs in texas for sale
Pingback: Copper ring for women
Pingback: Samsung phone
Pingback: future university
Pingback: future university
Pingback: future university
Pingback: golf cart isla mujeres
Pingback: multisbobet
Pingback: isla mujeres golf cart
Pingback: seo company johannesburg
Pingback: french bulldogs
Pingback: Fiverr.Com
Pingback: french bulldog
Pingback: future university
Pingback: french bulldog puppies
Pingback: french bulldog puppies
Pingback: french bulldog
Pingback: Business improvement consultancy
Pingback: Piano moving
Pingback: Upright piano moving
Pingback: FUE
Pingback: FUE
Pingback: FUE
Pingback: FUE
Pingback: FUE
Pingback: FUE
Pingback: FUE
Pingback: Moving consultation
Pingback: Marketing and sales courses in Cairo
Pingback: Classic Books 500
Pingback: FiverrEarn
Pingback: FiverrEarn
Pingback: Free Local Classified Ads
Pingback: Sell Anything for Free
Pingback: FiverrEarn
Pingback: FiverrEarn
Pingback: FiverrEarn
Pingback: Coach
Pingback: Escorts Australia
Pingback: pupuk anorganik dan pupuk organik
Pingback: Pupuk Organik terpercaya dan terbaik di pupukanorganik.com
Pingback: Unisex On-Demand Print Shop
Pingback: partners
Pingback: Globalization
Pingback: STUDY ABROAD CONSULTANT IN KOTTAYAM
Pingback: How many years is pharmacy in Egypt
Pingback: endopeak
Pingback: french bulldog puppies for sale
Pingback: Betting
Pingback: FiverrEarn
Pingback: FiverrEarn
Pingback: live sex cams
Pingback: live sex cams
Pingback: FiverrEarn
Pingback: FiverrEarn
Pingback: FiverrEarn
Pingback: french bulldog texas
Pingback: french bulldog san antonio
Pingback: FiverrEarn
Pingback: FiverrEarn
Pingback: FiverrEarn
Pingback: FiverrEarn
Pingback: FiverrEarn
Pingback: Private University in Yemen
Pingback: FiverrEarn
Pingback: FiverrEarn
Pingback: FiverrEarn
Pingback: FiverrEarn
Pingback: Natural Food
Pingback: winter Lightroom presets
Pingback: Best Lightroom Presets
Pingback: social media marketing
Pingback: Scientific Research
Pingback: Kuliah Termurah
Pingback: FiverrEarn
Pingback: FiverrEarn
Pingback: FiverrEarn
Pingback: FiverrEarn
Pingback: FiverrEarn
Pingback: FiverrEarn
Pingback: FiverrEarn
Pingback: FiverrEarn
Pingback: Generator Repair near me Manchester
Pingback: red boost legit
Pingback: cheap sex cams
Pingback: fullersears.com
Pingback: fullersears.com
Pingback: fullersears.com
Pingback: fullersears.com
Pingback: dog probiotics
Pingback: french bulldog
Pingback: live sex cams
Pingback: marketplace
Pingback: rare breed-trigger
Pingback: Creditos fiscales
Pingback: Ice Kream Vapes
Pingback: laundry service near me
Pingback: 늑대닷컴
Pingback: Judi online
Pingback: nangs sydney
Pingback: freelance web designer Singapore
Pingback: allgame
Pingback: 918kiss
Pingback: หวย24
Pingback: Best sunscreen
Pingback: bulldog with clothes
Pingback: pg slot
Pingback: AI Lawyer
Pingback: regles 421
Pingback: aplikasi judi online24jam terpercaya slot
Pingback: Dating Coach in London
Pingback: catskills hotel
Pingback: hotel on lake placid
Pingback: nutritional supplements
Pingback: megagame
Pingback: evisa
Pingback: 6.5 prc ammo
Pingback: weight loss injection
Pingback: 6.5 grendel ammo
Pingback: SaaS Law Firm
Pingback: itsMasum.Com
Pingback: 2 catégories de logiciels malveillants
Pingback: comment signaler un mail frauduleux
Pingback: catégorie de logiciels malveillants
Pingback: quick nangs delivery
Pingback: nangs Sydney
Pingback: chauffe eau Tours
Pingback: itsmasum.com
Pingback: chat to strangers
Pingback: boy chat
Pingback: itsmasum.com
Pingback: itsmasum.com
Pingback: itsmasum.com
Pingback: joker gaming