2005 Florida State Seminoles Basketball Preview

2005 Florida State Seminoles Team Preview

Despite losing some key team leaders and also their top scorer, Von Wafer (12.5 PPG), the Seminoles are promising. Last year was supposed to be a breakout year for Florida State but that promise never materialized. Leonard Hamilton was brought in 3 years ago to coach and revive the basketball program. Since becoming the Seminoles’ headman he’s earned a 45-48 record, which seems more like intensive care than revival. But the program has made gains and this year may really be the year the Seminoles have been working towards.

Florida State is a squad with experience and also some promising first year players. Defensive force Todd Galloway, a senior now, played every game last season; Guard Al Thornton averaged 9.1 PPG in 2004-05 and appears to be ready to step into double figures his junior year.

At forward Alexander Johnson has been touted as an offensive force but this promise has not been fulfilled. If he can become a consistent shooter and if athletic first year man Uche Echefu can bring the inside shot he had in high school to the next level, the Seminoles will have a foothold on a real shooting game.

On the road against conference rivals Florida State is a miserable 1 and 23 over three years. At home, however, the team has beaten many of those same tough ACC clubs. It’s a mystery why they are so terrible on the road, but that type of play when away means there’s no margin for error at home. This is true especially if they hope to move up in one of the most competitive conferences in college basketball.

For more info on the 2005 Seminoles check out the official Florida State athletic site.