Florida State Basketball: Don't Forget the Other Guys

I just want to start this off by saying "The Other Guys" is an underrated movie in which Will Ferrell and Mark Whalberg's talents are greatly under appreciated by their fellow cops. That is how the Florida State fan base is looking at the Noles returning players. While I cannot wait for the incoming freshmen class's first desk pop, we cannot forget about the veteran 'Noles that will be bringing their experienced office skills to the Civic Center this year. These players and coaches have come under fire the last three years, but with more talented being added to the team, each player's respective skills will shine a little bit brighter this year. Here is a quick rundown of the Seminoles returning cast:

#0 Phil Cofer 6-8, 205 lbs, Sophomore
2014-2015 Stats: 6.9 PPG, 4.5 RPG, FG% 45.6

Just take that in ladies and gentlemen, the greatness that is Phil Cofer. I love watching this guy play because he plays the way Leonard Hamilton wants every Seminole to play - 110%. The previous two years the Florida State basketball team seemed to have no energy on the court at times, but this year came Phil Cofer and he always played with his hair on fire. Speaking of his hair, I have a real issue with him cutting his fro before the ACC Tournament. His hair was his image, his swagger, and his stats show he never should've touched his hair. During the Fro Days Cofer had 210 points and just 19 points without the fro. There's the facts, plain and simple - the number of games played during that span is irrelevant - Phil needs to bring back the fro. Cofer will be a huge piece this year, either starting or coming off the bench, as he will always provide a spark to the Noles and the Civic Center crowd this year.

#1 Devon Bookert 6-3, 193 lbs, Senior
2014-15 Stats: 10.1 PPG, 3.6 APG, 3pt FG% 39.3

Okay I know what you all are thinking - the picture above is not Devon Bookert - but it is his attractive/athletic girlfriend, Grete Sadeiko, who is on the Florida State Track and Field team. Round of applause to Devon Bookert. If things progress, they will definitely have Division 1-bound babies (hopefully attending Florida State). Now that we know his off-court skills are on point, let us address his on-court skills. The Anchorage, Alaska native will greatly benefit from the infuse of talent this year. Given the amount of guards Florida State has this year, Bookert will not have to play over 35 minutes like he has the past two years. Bookert will provide three years of experience, a good feel for the game, and three point shooting (career 43.3% from behind the arc). I have always been a huge fan of the Bookert's and I want him to end his career at FSU with a berth in the NCAA Tournament. Cannot wait for the coverage of Devon Bookert and his bae to take the nation by storm.

#15 Boris Bojanovsky 7-3, 240 lbs, Senior
2014-2015 Stats: 5.1 PPG, 1.3 BPG, FG % 57.6

Boris, AKA Bojo, is just awkward, plain and simple but during his career he has had some great games. He is extremely productive when he is on the floor. When he isn't completely awkward he can have can make beautiful post move or block a shot. My biggest issues with Bojo is that he plays soft at times and also struggles growing a full beard. The first issue drives me up the wall, a Hamilton-led basketball team usually has a mean, grown man in the middle (Alexander Johnson, Bernard James, Solomon Alabi, etc.) and Bojo has shown this quality very little over his career. As for the beard - or lack there of - pictured above, all it is right now is a Kyle Orton esque neck beard and nobody wants that look. My hopes for Bojo this year is that he can grow a full beard, which I believe will correlate to more on court toughness. Stay KRUNK Bojo.

#22 Xavier Rathan-Mayes 6-4, 190 lbs, Sophomore
2014-2015 Stats: 14.9 PPG, 3.5 APG

The star of last year's team and statistically XRM did not even have that great of a season (FG % 41.6, 3 pt FG % 28.1, and a 1.3 assist to turnover ratio). These stats do not account for the fact that XRM had to do everything for this team just to have a chance night in and night out, all while playing 34.7 minutes per game. With more talent around him and a year under his belt, expect for his shooting percentages and assists to go up while his turnovers will go down. That being said, his numbers will remain the same if he tries to do everything by himself. I love XRM's game but some of his decisions drove me crazy last year. A lot of those decision may have had something to do with the fact that he was practically responsible for all of the team's scoring as a first year player. This kid is a gym rat and great competitor. He always plays with a chip on his shoulder and I expect to see him with the ball in his hands at the end of close ball games ready to make the big play. A couple side notes, the Canada product also has an attractive/athletic girlfriend, and I'm holding out hope that he can make Drake an FSU fan via his Canadian connections.

#23 Jarquez Smith 6-9, 225 lbs, Junior
2014-2015 Stats: 6.2 PPG, 1.1 BPG, FG % 50.3

The Haddock, Georgia native has improved each year so far in his career, but look for him to make a huge jump forward this year. He has experimented with the three point shot the last two years, improving each year and becoming a somewhat threat from behind the arch last year (8 of 31 from 3 last year). Look for him to improve his jump shot from mid range and three point range, as this will help spread the floor for Florida State's attacking guards. I'm really hoping to see him add bulk this year and possibly play some center for the Noles in a small ball lineup. I believe a line up of XRM, Bacon, Beasley, Montay Brandon at the 4, and Jarquez at the 5 could cause some serious matchup problems for a team without a center or a team with an athletic liability at center. Smith will be a huge factor in Florida State's success this year. A random observation for Jarquez, I see a striking resemblance to Marty the zebra from the movie Madagascar. Hopefully we can still be friends Jarquez.

#24 Robbie Berwick 6-4, 188 lbs, Sophomore
2014-2015 Stats: He Hit two threes against Duke

I watched the play pictured above happen against Duke, one of two huge threes Berwick hit to ignite the Civic Center that night. The best part about him hitting the threes were his crazy, awkward white boy celebrations after the ball went through the net. Epic is the only way to describe it. I love how hard Berwick plays, especially on defense where he is by no means a lockdown defender, but with his outstanding effort he gets the job done. This season, number 24's minutes will likely decrease with the influx of talent but he will still play a vital role in the Noles' success. Berwick will be put in the game specifically to shoot threes and spread the floor, he may have some Deividas Dulkys like games with the way defenses will collapse on our attacking guards. Just be on the lookout for Berwick's painfully awkward/white three point celebrations this year.

#31 Michael Saxton 6-5, 210 lbs, Senior
2014-2015 Stats: Led the team in bench freakouts

All I have to say about this guy is Johnathan has some serious beef with him. Johnathan tried out for the TCC basketball team in the Fall of 2013 and claims that Saxton "stole" his spot. Anytime I bring it up, Johnathan gets pretty upset so if you see him in public don't mention it. JK pretty much looks at Saxton and thinks that could be me at the end of FSU's bench, whatever kid's got to have a dream. As for Mr. Saxton, just keep practicing hard and encouraging your teammates it makes a difference, and just know Johnathan is out there working to take your spot.

#32 Montay Brandon 6-8, 225 lbs, Senior
2014-2015 Stats: 11.8 PPG, 5.5 RPG, FG % 54.1

Montay Brandon... Good God do you frustrate the s*** out of me with your decision making on the court. You play out of control when you attack the basket and your jump shot has failed to improve at all during your time at Florida State. At least you realized you struggle shooting and now strictly attack the basket. Sorry for the rant, but Montay frustrates me so much because he has a chance to be a very exceptional player for the Noles. From everything I've read, many players on the team consider him the leader so I'll cut him some slack, given that he is well respected in the locker room. Anyways, Montay's play will be huge for the 'Noles success this year as he can do a little bit of everything. He rebounds extremely well for a wing, he also has a knack for jumping the passing lanes on defense, and he is our most experienced player. All of these attributes make him very valuable to Leonard Hamilton's team, but I want to see if we utilize Montay as a small ball four this year because I believe his athleticism at that position could open a lot of things up for our team. If we can improve our three point shooting, Montay could be an absolute weapon at the 4 position with all the space down low a defense would have to give up. He could pull a slower defender out on the perimeter, where he could blow by his man and score or kick it out to an open shooter on a consistent basis. It will be interesting to see how we utilize Brandon this year, but I feel like whatever role he is assigned he will step up and help the team win games.

#40 Brandon Allen 6-6, 200 lbs, Junior
2014-2015 Stats: 2x Most Outstanding Student Award

The former minor league baseball player will provide the Noles with a great GPA and the ability to come off the bench and hit shots while supplying great effort on defense. Allen will more than likely not see the court that much this year with Florida State's added depth, but he could still play an important role. Being that he played minor league baseball for three seasons, he provides a professional attitude to everything he does and that will rub off on his teammates. From what I've read, he practices extremely hard and comes in each day to compete and get better. All that does is push his more talented teammates, which will lead to better on court performance from his fellow Noles. Just know Mr. Allen, I appreciate your efforts. It will be interesting to see if he can complete the three peat as the team's Most Outstanding Student... stay tuned to find out. (Our very own Rudy?)

#50 Michael Ojo 7-1, 292 lbs, Senior
2014-2015 Stats: 2.2 PPG, 2.4 RPG, FG % 52.9

Here is a picture of Michael Ojo (close family friend), my brother, and I after church on Sunday in April. Close family friend may or may not be true for Mr. Ojo, but everyone in my family is a huge fan. That being said, he also frustrates us with his inability to catch a pass, his overall struggles on defense - especially the pick and roll - and the fact that he hasn't broken a backboard in a game yet. The thing about Ojo is whenever he makes a play, the Civic Center and his teammates absolutely lose it, and the 'Noles will usually go on a run to make a comeback or extend a lead. I can remember multiple occasions when the 7-1, 292-pound big man dove on the floor which would always get me ridiculously pumped up. We need Ojo to provide a presence in the paint defensively, rebound the crap out of the ball, and figure out how to catch and pivot before destroying the rim. If he can do all these things, the Civic Center will be rocking all year long and the 'Noles will be a serious threat in the ACC. Also I am looking to start a Michael Ojo fan club called the "Loco Ojo's," we will wear makeshift #50 jerseys and freakout for anything and everything Michael Ojo does. Please contact me via Facebook if interested.

The returning cast has a lot of potential and with the added scoring and depth that this freshman class brings to Tallahassee, they will be able to play their roles and not have to be something they aren't. I am very excited to see this group hopefully live up to it's potential next season.

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