NCAA Basketball: Way-too-early top 25 power rankings for 2022-23 season
team. 435. . . . Seminoles . 22
2021-22 season record: 17-14 (10-10 in ACC)
It was simply a miserable season on and off the court for the Seminoles. Injuries, family matters, and life-threatening health issues made things difficult for the program to get any kind of rhythm. It also didn’t help that none of the freshmen outside of Matthew Cleveland (11.5 ppg) were ready to contribute.
The expectation is that Leonard Hamilton and Florida State will bounce back from the off-year, considering that most of the core players will be back. Cleveland likely isn’t going to the draft and both Jalen Warley and 7’0 forward John Butler Jr. should take a step in their respective developments. There’s also Caleb Mills, who averaged 12.7 ppg this season to lead the team offensively.
Look for the frontcourt to improve on both ends, with Butler getting more playing time and the recent pickup of Brown transfer and two-time Ivy League Defensive Player of the Year Jaylan Gainey. His averages of 9.5 ppg and 6.7 rpg aren’t going to scare ACC foes but he fits perfectly in the system of quality defenders that can play 15-20 minutes and wear out opponents.
Look for four-star combo guard Chandler Jackson to have an impact out the gate and if both Anthony Polite and Malik Osborne come back for an extra year, this team with have the depth and hopefully the normalcy to get back to the top-tier of the ACC.