The skinny
G Aaron Thomas showed flashes of good things to come last season, coming off the bench in the final 16 games and scoring 20 points six times. FSU's season hinges on whether Thomas can be a consistent, seasonlong star. FSU needs more consistent point-guard play after Devon Bookert had 102 assists but also 72 turnovers last season. The Seminoles are taking a long look at Xavier Rathan-Mayes, who missed 2013-14 due to concerns over his prep school transcripts, at point. He is considered a shooting guard but also has exceptional vision.
Bouncing back on the glass
FSU was out rebounded in 13 of 20 ACC games last season, in part because sophomore centers Boris Bojanovsky and Michael Ojo were thrown into the fire and also due to Kiel Turpin's knee injury. Turpin's return for his redshirt senior season means the three 7-footers can split time and a few more rebounds might result in added points and more wins.
Bracketology
After two seasons in the NIT, FSU's underclassmen have learned from their experience and are pushing for the NCAA Tournament. If the freshmen provide points, defense and depth, FSU can navigate a tough schedule and return to the Big Dance.
The last word
"We have a level of maturity. One reason why I think we stack up pretty well is that we have an experienced bunch back. The biggest challenge for us is to bring our inexperienced players up to the level so they can be contributors as freshmen and sophomores, and I think that would make the difference in how successful we are as we move through the season." —Coach Leonard Hamilton
Roster
No. Player Pos. Ht.Cl.
0 Phil Cofer F 6-8Fr.
1 Devon Bookert G 6-3Jr.
4 D. Watkins G 6-0So.
5 Jarquez Smith F 6-9So.
11 Kiel Turpin C 7-0Sr.
15 B. Bojanovsky C 7-3Jr.
22 X. Rathan-Mayes G 6-4Fr.
24 Robbie Berwick G 6-4 Fr.
25 Aaron Thomas G 6-5Jr.
31 Michael Saxton G 6-5Jr.
32 Montay Brandon G 6-8Jr.
40 Brandon Allen F 6-6 So.
50 Michael Ojo C 7-1Jr.
Schedule
November
15 Manhattan, 1; 18 Northeastern, 7; 22 Providence (at Uncasville, Conn.), 2:30; 23 UMass (at Uncasville, Conn.), noon; 25 Citadel, 7; 28 Charleston Southern, 6
December
1 Nebraska, 7; 6 UCF, 2; 13 at Notre Dame, 8*; 17 North Florida, 7; 20 USF (at Sunrise), TBA; 22 Stetson, 2; 30 Florida, 7
January
2 at Mississippi State, 9; 6 Virginia Tech, 7*; 11 at Syracuse, 8*; 14 at Pittsburgh, 9*; 17 N.C. State, 1:30*; 19 at Clemson, 9*; 24 at North Carolina, 2*; 28 Wake Forest, 7*
February
1 Miami, 12:30*; 4 Clemson, 9*; 7 at Virginia Tech, 3*; 9 Duke, 7*; 14 at Georgia Tech, 2:30*; 18 Boston College, 9*; 22 at Virginia, 6:30*; 25 at Miami, 9*; 28 Louisville, TBA*
March
7 Pittsburgh, TBA*; March 10-14 ACC Tournament at Greensboro, N.C.
* ACC game
Bob Ferrante, Times correspondent