Florida State Basketball: 2019-20 season preview for the Seminoles

By Brian Rauf | Oct 5, 2019

HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT - MARCH 21: Head coach head coach Leonard Hamilton of the Florida State Seminoles speaks to his team during the first round game of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament against the Vermont Catamounts at XL Center on March 21, 2019 in Hartford, Connecticut. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

5 of 5

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 28: Brandon Clarke #15 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs fights for the ball against Trent Forrest #3 of the Florida State Seminoles during the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament West Regional at Honda Center on March 28, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

Season outlook

Despite the amount of roster turnover and questions mentioned at the top of this piece, Florida State has enough talent to earn a top five finish in the ACC and a fourth consecutive NCAA Tournament berth.

The Seminoles still have the same characteristics as the past few years – they’re big, long, and athletic – and Hamilton will have them playing elite defense sooner rather than later. In what looks like a (relatively) down year for the depth in the ACC, their floor is pretty high.

How high their ceiling is, however, remains to be seen. If Walker can finally live up to expectations and Williams plays like the first-round pick he’s projected to be, the Seminoles will break into the upper-echelon of the conference with Final Four contenders Duke, Louisville, and North Carolina. All that remains a what-if best-case scenario for now.

Next. Preseason ACC rankings for 2019-20 season. dark

Florida State will more than likely end up being a solid team. I think Forrest, Walker, and Williams will form one of the better perimeter trios in the country, but I also don’t think any of them will become the kind of offensive star the Seminoles need. They’ll win games with their defense and their offense may limit them against high-level competition.

Look for FSU to make it back to the Big Dance and potentially win a game, but I would bet against them making a third straight trip to the Sweet 16.

Home/Florida State Seminoles