ACC Basketball: Louisville, Wake Forest rise in updated way-too-early ranking for 2024-25

17. Florida State Seminoles

Before the NBA Draft deadline, Florida State was on its way to being the clear worst team in the ACC. The top six scorers were gone, including Jamir Watkins (15.6 ppg, 6.0 rpg, and 2.8 apg), who led the team in all three main categories. He had entered the transfer portal as well so it was supposed to be a foregone conclusion that he’d be gone.

However, the Seminoles got great news with his return, which gives the team an All-ACC performer for next season. That’s the only “good” news that the team has had, with not much else happening. The point guard situation will come down to either Chandler Jackson or four-star prospect Daquan Davis, so Watkins likely will be the lead ball-handler again.

Outside of North Dakota transfer Jerry Deng, the main newcomers for FSU come from the JUCO route in Justin Thomas and Malique Ewin, an All-American forward who’ll be the focal point in the interior. Incoming freshmen Christian Nitu and AJ Swinton will look to have an impact out of the gate as well.

Ultimately, FSU has little proven production at both the power conference level and D-I overall. Coach Leonard Hamilton has had a great career but the last couple of years have been rough. If things don’t improve, it may be his last season with the program.