Florida State Basketball is lastly again in motion tonight as they get set to tackle the Stetson Hatters, based mostly out of DeLand, Florida. It’s been a tumultuous offseason for the ‘Noles, so it will be fascinating to see how the workforce performs with out their regular depth.Â
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This sport will tip off at 7pm within the Donald L Tucker Center on RSN/ACCNX.Â
Stetson Hatters Breakdown
It was solely 4 years in the past when Stetson was one of many worst groups in Division 1 basketball, profitable solely 7 video games within the 2018-19 season. They’ve recovered simply barely, however it will be powerful for them to maintain tempo on this one. The Hatters lose over 40 PPG from their prime 3 scorers a season in the past, and there isn’t any one on the roster that has averaged greater than 7.2 PPG in D1 competitors (Sam Peek averaged 17.9 PPG for Wesleyan final season, a D3 program).Â
They do possess a few stable shooters who’re hoping to shine in larger probabilities in Wheza Panzo, who in restricted alternatives a season in the past at nearly 39%, Peek shot 35.2% final season, Alex Crawford shot above 40% in lower than one try per sport, and Jalen Blackmon shot 35% for Grand Canyon. Their largest problem up to now has been caring for the ball, and that is going to be put to the check in opposition to a flexible and large Florida State workforce.Â
If they are going to keep on this sport, it will be due to offensive rebounding. FSU let Newberry snag 19 offensive rebounds, which is just unacceptable for an exhibition sport. Stetson grabbed over 10 per sport final season, and have some guys in Josh Smith, Alvun Tumblin, and Mahamadou Diawara which might be succesful rebounders, and want to show one thing in opposition to this FSU workforce.Â
This must be a stable defensive workforce, with a complete bunch of fellows on the roster being between 6’7″ and 6’11”, however I’m undecided they fairly have the athleticism or scoring punches to maintain up with Florida State, as banged up as FSU is.Â
Florida State Seminoles Breakdown
The hits did not cease coming for Florida State this offseason. After a season marred with damage, they got here into the offseason with John Butler unexpectedly declaring for the NBA Draft. The participant they introduced in to fill his function, Baba Miller, was wrongfully suspended for the primary half of the season by the NCAA for journey advantages two years in the past.Â
A number of weeks earlier than that, one of many two transfers they introduced in, two-time Ivy League Defensive Player of the Year Jaylan Gainey, tore his ACL in follow and will miss the season. Everyone across the workforce was devastated by this news, as he was somebody who might defend all 5 positions and was as fast as anybody on the roster as a real huge man. He’ll be missed, however there are gamers that may assist relieve these two losses.Â
Coach Hamilton has been very complimentary of each Naheem McLeod and freshman Cameron Corhen this offseason. McLeod appears a little bit sturdy and faster, and appears laser targeted this season, whereas Corhen has a really intriguing sport as a giant man, one harking back to Mfiondu Kabengele, and has earned rave critiques from these across the program for the work he has put in.Â
This season goes to return all the way down to the play of the guards although, and how a lot of a step Jalen Warley has taken. He’s put in an incredible quantity of labor this offseason, whereas Caleb Mills will assist relieve him in ball-dealing with, and UCF switch sharp shooter Darin Green Jr will open the ground up for everybody.Â
The largest factor everyone seems to be searching for although is seeing how a lot progress Matthew Cleveland has made together with his soar shot. I’ve my doubts as we stand proper now, however he is as proficient as anybody within the ACC if it will possibly come collectively. He actually simply must be assured greater than something.Â
Injury Report
Florida State ended final season banged up, and they’re beginning a lot the identical.Â
Jaylan Gainey is out for the season with a knee damage.Â
Chandler Jackson is out with a thumb damage.Â
Jeremiah Bembry is out for the foreseeable future with what’s being reported as a again damage.Â
De’Ante Green is out indefinitely as he recovers from an ACL damage in highschool.Â
Baba Miller is out till Jan eleventh attributable to a suspension from the NCAA.Â
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Projected Starters
Florida State
G: Jalen Warley
G: Caleb Mills
G: Matthew Cleveland
F: Cam’Ron Fletcher
C: Naheem McLeod
Stetson
G: Stephan Swanson
G: Jalen Blackmon
G: Wheza Panzo
F: Alvin Trumblin
C: Mahamadou Diawara
Keys to the Game
Create Turnovers
Stetson averaged 13 turnovers per sport final season, however Georgia Tech, FAU, and FIU pressured them into both 15 or 16 turnovers in video games final season. FSU has simply as nice of a chance to create turnovers as anybody, and even with their restricted depth, they’re going to attempt and create havoc by choosing gamers up full courtroom.Â
Rebound
Florida State was a superb offensive rebounding workforce and a under common defensive rebounding workforce a season in the past, and they let Newberry hold round due to Newberry’s offensive rebounding. Don’t let Stetson hold round and end defensive possessions with rebounds, as they averaged over 10 per sport final yr. Keep them at 7 offensive rebounds or fewer.Â
Stop the Three
Stetson was about common capturing the three final season at 35%, but it surely appeared like each workforce’s finest capturing efficiency got here in opposition to the ‘Noles a season in the past. The Hatters have 4 gamers that shot at 35% or higher from 3, together with Wheza Panzo, who hit them at a 39% clip on 3 makes an attempt per sport in restricted minutes; he is due for an elevated function this yr.Â
Game Prediction
Florida State sits as 19.5-level favorites, with an over/below of 142.5.
The ‘Noles ought to win this comfortably, however Stetson possesses some size up and down the roster that might present some points. Nonetheless, this will likely be FSU by double digits.Â
FSU 79-65
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