2007-2008 ACC Team Preview #4

Florida State Seminoles

No team has a bigger hole to fill in terms of an individual player than Florida State with Al Thornton. The Seminoles return the majority of their back court, which will be important in looking for more scoring this year to replace Thornton. If the inside players can step up, FSU could surprise some people in the league this year.

Key Losses: F Al Thornton, a first round draft pick by the Clippers, averaged 19.7 ppg and 7.2 rpg, leading the team in both categories (26% of scoring, 22% of rebounding).

New Additions: Coach Leonard Hamilton brought in four recruits for this upcoming season. Posts Julian Vaughn and Solomon Alabi will be looked to provide minutes immediately inside. Combo guard Chris Blake and wing Jordan Demercy will not be asked to have such a role as the posts, but will still be needed for depth on the perimeter.

Projected Lineup:

• PG- Toney Douglas (6'1", Jr.)
• SG- Jason Rich (6'3", Sr.)
• SG- Isaiah Swann (6'2", Sr.)
• PF- Uche Echefu (6'9", So.)
• C- Vaughn (6'10, Fr.) or Alabi (7'1", Fr.)

Key Reserves:

• PG- Ralph Mims (6'3", Sr.)
• SF- Casaan Breeden (6'8", Jr.)
• PF- Ryan Reid (6'8", So.)
• PG/SG- Chris Blake (6'5", Fr.)
• SF- Jordan Demercy (6'7", Fr.)

Outlook: Florida State will only go as far as the posts will develop. The guard play will be second to none in terms of offensive output, and the addition of the freshmen posts will allow Echefu and Breeden to move more to their natural wing spots. If the posts can do the dirty work of playing defense and rebounding and take what comes to them offensively, FSU can challenge for the upper half of the conference. However, replacing Thornton may be too much to ask for this upcoming season. The ACC Media picked the Seminoles to finish 9th in the league this upcoming season.

Schedule-wise, FSU has increased the out of conference strength by traveling to Indianapolis to play Butler, hosting UAB and College of Charleston, and playing at Providence. However, it seems the league may be just too tough for the Noles this upcoming season.

Prediction: 5-11 Finish, T-9 in ACC; 17-14 Overall.

ACC Preview #3- NC State

ACC Preview #2- Clemson

ACC Preview #1- Georgia Tech