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NCAA Basketball: Top 10 National Coach of the Year candidates for 2020-21

By Benjamin Zacher

COLLEGE PARK, MD - DECEMBER 31: Head coach Juwan Howard of the Michigan Wolverines watches the game against the Maryland Terrapins at Xfinity Center on December 31, 2020 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Maryland Terrapins/Getty Images)
COLLEGE PARK, MD - DECEMBER 31: Head coach Juwan Howard of the Michigan Wolverines watches the game against the Maryland Terrapins at Xfinity Center on December 31, 2020 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Maryland Terrapins/Getty Images) /
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NCAA Basketball Florida State Seminoles Leonard Hamilton Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Basketball Florida State Seminoles Leonard Hamilton Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Sports /

9. Leonard Hamilton (#11 Florida State)

  • 2020-21 record: 14-3 overall, 10-2 ACC

It continues to be astounding just how underappreciated Leonard Hamilton and the Seminoles have been – not just during this season, but throughout his tenure.  There is no question that his group last year were national championship contenders – but his team this year may have a stake in that argument, as well.

Florida State lost nearly 50% of the offensive production from last year’s 26-5 team that won the ACC regular-season title and recorded the best season in school history.  With Devin Vassell, Patrick Williams, and Trent Forrest off to the NBA Draft, the Seminoles were expected to take a bit of a step back, having been picked to finish third in the preseason poll.

The Seminoles entered the season ranked 22nd nationally, picking up wins over Indiana, Florida, and Georgia Tech – before dropping two games in the span of 10 days to UCF and Clemson, both by double-digits.  Then, a COVID-19 pause struck at the flip of the calendar year, which – paired with the loss to Clemson – sent Florida State out of the national polls.

A switch flipped for the Seminoles after returning from their layoff, however, as Hamilton’s crew ripped off five-straight wins – including over UNC, Louisville, and Clemson – by an average of 18.6 points per game.  After a loss at Georgia Tech to close out January, the Seminoles were forced to go on another pause – and, since returning, have rallied for three-straight wins, including a 21-point rout of Virginia.

Florida State’s success has been spearheaded by the three-man crew of M.J. Walker, RaiQuan Gray, and Scottie Barnes – all of whom are averaging over 10 points, two boards, and two assists per game – with all three maintaining shooting clips of over 45%.  The Seminoles have been a terror on the offensive end, maintaining the ACC’s most efficient offense – which also ranks first in PPG (80.4), FG% (49.7%), and 3P% (42.3%).

Now, Hamilton’s squad sits first in the ACC with the league’s best conference – and overall – records.  After dipping out of the national polls after their first COVID-19 pause, the Seminoles have climbed to their highest ranking yet of 11th, and appear primed to be the ACC’s top squad.

After being robbed of what could have been his best chance to reach his first-ever Final Four last season, Hamilton has his team in the position to claim a top-3 or 4 seed in the NCAA Tournament – and expecting that to happen after losing so much from last season’s crew may not have even been a thought.  But it is very much a possibility – and Hamilton deserves all the credit in the world for making that possible.

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