Noles News: As the biggest underdog in the series since 2013, FSU hopes to accomplish the unfathomable against Miami.
When the two teams faced off as top 10 teams, the Seminoles were 21 points ahead of the Hurricanes.
Since winning the ACC regular-season championship in 2020, Florida State has not achieved 20 victories in the previous four seasons. The Seminoles currently have the opposite of a team led by Leonard Hamilton: few seasoned players who are familiar with his game plan. With senior forward Jamir Watkins leading the way, they only have four players back from the 2023–24 team. Although he is in the last year of his contract, Hamilton has been Florida State’s coach since March 2002. He claims that the Seminoles should have “an opportunity to get back to playing the way we have been accustomed to playing when we had our better teams” because of his outstanding depth.
Watkins (senior, F, 6-7, 15.6 ppg, 6.0 rpg). Watkins tested NBA waters and entered the transfer portal but opted in June to return to Florida State. An All-ACC preseason second-team selection, Watkins gives the Seminoles optimism that they can compete in league play.
Malique Ewin (F, 6-11, junior). At South Plains (Texas) College, Ewin averaged 14.9 points, 9.0 rebounds, and a 62.6% shooting percentage, making him one of the country’s best junior-college players. Ewin provides a defensive presence and much-needed rebounding.
Taylor Bowen (F, 6-10, 3.1 ppg, sophomore). Bowen is a 190-pound, agile, lean big man who can block shots and run the court effectively. He ought to assume a more expansive role.
Arrivals and departures
In 2023–24, Florida State loses six of their major rotational players, including Darin Green Jr., to graduation, but Watkins returns. However, Cam Fletcher (Xavier), Baba Miller (Florida Atlantic), Cameron Corhen (Pittsburgh), Primo Spears (UT San Antonio), and Jalen Warley (Virginia) have all found new homes.
Florida State takes against Northern Kentucky on November 4. Additionally, the Seminoles play at LSU on December 3 and at Florida on November 15. Against N.C. State, who advanced to the Final Four the previous season, Florida State begins ACC play.
Figures and facts
At Florida State, Hamilton is starting his 23rd season. Hamilton is the fifth-winning coach in school history, and he has more victories than any other coach with 443. … Bostyn Holt (South Dakota) and Justin Thomas (UTSA), two 6-7 transfers, were among the nine new players the Seminoles added. … Although FSU signed four-star recruit Daquan Davis in the spring, Hamilton rarely plays point guard as a freshman.