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| via FoxSports.com |
You read that right - seven Seminoles scored in double figures last night. The 'Noles have to have one of the deepest backcourts in the league with XRM, Mann, Bell, Bookert, and even Beasley - all three of which appear to have ability at both guard positions. The center position is currently scarce with two players (Ojo and freshman Koumadje) both out with injuries but, the team has the players to adjust. Phil Cofer and Jarquez Smith can both help Bojo down low despite being relatively undersized for post players. XRM, Bookert, Bell, Beasley, Bacon, Mann, Brandon, Cofer, Smith, Bojo, Ojo, and even Robbie Berwick gives Leonard Hamilton 12 players that can come in and produce.
2) XRM is still an elite scorer.
Last season XRM was forced to create everything for this team on the offensive end. He is the ACC's top returning scorer, last year averaging 14.9 points per game including 8 20+ point games and three 30+ games (ACC freshman record). Last night he showed he can still score at will finishing with 13. During one stretch he hit two step back jump-shots with defenders in his face, making it look easy. Enjoy him while you can because this man is on the fast-track to the NBA if he keeps this up.
3) Bojo seems very well meshed with the team.
Bojo was yet another returning veteran that flashed last night. You could tell that he has worked hard in the off-season for a big Senior year. Bojo meshed with the team - who displayed some impressive passing all night - catching alley-oops and passes near the basket. He and XRM were working the pick-and-roll much better than we saw over the course of last year. Likely the most impressive thing for me, was how strong he was finihsing at the rim. Granted he was by far the tallest player on the court, he still showed off a little what-for that we rarely see from him.
4) Terance Mann appears the most polished newcomer.
Probably the biggest takeaway for me was how great Mann looked. Terance Mann was the overlooked player in this class. Despite being a four-star by most all recruiting channels, the 6'5" Massachusetts product flew under the radar of Bacon and Beasley's hype. Last night he filled the stat sheet with 15 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists. Mann was all over the floor, getting the ball up the court in transition ahead of the defense, and even running the one at certain points in the night. This kid is going to be special.
5) That doesn't mean the rest of them aren't polished.
Dwayne Bacon, Malik Beasley, and Benji Bell (the three other newcomers who played) all showed flashes as well. Bacon finished with 16 including two threes and Beasley added 10. Though he still refuses to play me one on one, Beasley made what was likely the highlight of the night. On a one-on-one fast break in the second half, Beasley absorbed the contact of a defender around the free throw line before regaining his balance and rising up for a tomahawk jam. The game was already out of reach for Lynn but the fans in attendance went wild, a very indicative sign of things to come for this program.
6) Phil Cofer looks better than last year.
In his freshman year, Phil Cofer averaged 4.5 rebounds and 6.9 points. He also gave us one of the greatest highlights in FSU basketball history. In last night's game he looked more fluid, stronger, and quicker in everything he did. He even showed us a little something beyond the arc, knocking down an open three that looked hella-natural. Cofer finished with 13 and 7.
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via Fansided.com
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Many people came away from the Jam with Ham thinking that Devon Bookert looked much better than in previous years. He won the three-point contest with ease and raised eyebrows in the dunk competition despite his short stature. Well last night he looked like a totally new player. He showed us effort that I had not seen out of him throughout his career here in Tallahassee with multiple hustle plays and tip ins. One play in particular stood out to me late in the second half when he missed a runner in the lane but was able to gather himself, out-jumped the defender, and tip back in his own shot. Bookert finished with 19 points, going 3-5 from the three point line.
8) This team has scoring.
Likely more scoring than any Leonard Hamilton-coached team has ever had. Bell, Beasley, Bacon, and Mann can all create their own shot. Adding those four with XRM, who is likely the best scorer on the team, takes the stress off of role players like Bookert and Montay Brandon (did not play in this game). That's seven viable scoring options for this team. Last season we relied on XRM to create everything, but now with the added depth, this team has an abundance of options.
I realize last night was against a Division II team whose tallest player was 6'9", but the 'Noles were very impressive from where I was sitting. This team played with an energy and togetherness that I have never really seen from a Leonard Hamilton team.The defense will need work but I believe that will come with more time into the season. I joke with Sean that the 'Noles are now "Combo-Guard University" with 8 players between 6'3" and 6'6" that have ability at both guard positions but that's just a testament to the scoring, length and athleticism that is on this team. The talent is there for coach Hamilton, it is going to be interesting to see what he can do with it.
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Very well said. Your words explained it beautifully. Thank You.
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