NCAA Basketball: Buy or sell – Final Four contenders for 2020-21 season

Florida State Seminoles

More depth than the Pacific Ocean would be the Flordia State Seminoles. Leonard Hamilton’s squad has had 12 guys play 11 games or more. Any night could be a different player’s night, led by Scottie Barnes there 6’9 point-forward. Barnes is arguably the most versatile player in the country on both ends of the floor and the team feeds off his energy.

The Seminoles are one of the tallest teams in the country with an average height of 6’8 and despite having nine players playing over 15 MPG, there isn’t any drop off from the starters to the bench. Each guy knows their role and plays it well, they never play outside of themselves and compete at a high level.

This might be the most complete offensive team Hamilton is had, ranking in the top-25 in three of our four major field goal categories. They convert 38.1% of their three-pointers (20th in the nation), 69.5% around the rim (tenth), and 48.5% of their total shots from the field (19th).

FSU is solid of defense as they do a great job of not letting the ball in the post due to their length. The Seminoles rank 14th in field goal percentage allowed, as opponents only make 38.7% of their total attempts from the floor. When engaged defensively they are very disruptive and can speed up most teams to force turnovers. Many bracketology polls have the Seminoles as a four-seed, I would not want to play them in March. This team is poised to make a run.

BUY

Virginia Cavaliers

With the slowest pace in D1, the Virginia Cavaliers average right under 70 PPG. In eight of the 19 games played they have scored under 70 points and in only seven of their games, they reached the 75 point mark or more. The issues start in the backcourt, only three of their guards that play consistent minutes shoot over 30 percent from three. One of which in Reece Beekman shoots 30.8 percent.

Also, other than Kihei Clark none of their guards can create their shot or opportunities for others consistently. If opposing teams can get the ball out of Clark’s hands who also doesn’t shoot well they struggle offensively. The Cavaliers are very unwilling to play fast, they have a rating of 7.99 in potential points scored off of steals, which is 33rd-worst in the country.

UVA’s unwillingness to score different ways leaves a lot to be desired. The tournament is unpredictable, you will have to adapt to survive. If UVA plays fast they lose. Defense travels in March but if you can score you won’t advance.

SELL