Florida State Basketball: Seminoles are legit national title contenders

Leonard Hamilton is a proven leader.

There is a fraternity of coaches around the nation who, regardless of the amount of success they attain, carry the moniker of always “doing less with more.” Sometimes it is absolutely warranted; there are coaches who are great at assembling talent but often can’t put the power to the pavement.

Leonard Hamilton has been included in that group for a long time and I am not so sure it’s warranted. It may have been earned at one point, but the success this program has had in recent seasons no longer supports this way of thinking.

After not making the NCAA Tournament for four consecutive seasons, the Seminoles returned to the prom in 2016-17 with a record of 26-9 (12-6 ACC). They collected a first-round win as a No. 3 seed in that year before being ousted by a criminally underseeded Xavier team (No. 11).

In 2017-18, Hamilton led a young and fairly inexperienced team to a 23-12 record and a No. 9 seed in the Big Dance. He was able to bring that group together and make a run to the Elite Eight, knocking off top-seeded Xavier and No. 4 seed Gonzaga in the process.

Last season? Just another “ho-hum” 29-8 campaign and a run to the Sweet 16.

Here is the point: Leonard Hamilton may have earned that label at one time, but he has had more tournament success than most in the last three seasons and his program is still improving.

His in-game adjustments this season are noticeable and this year’s team is metrically better than in seasons past while coaching a roster arguably not as talented nor as experienced. Leonard Hamilton and his staff are coaching the hell out of this team.

He’s a good coach, we need to start showing him the respect he deserves.