FSU Basketball: 2017-18 Chop Chat midseason awards

FSU basketball will start the second half of the season Wednesday night against Louisville – but first, we look back at the best from part one of the year.

Through the first half of the 2016-17 season, FSU basketball had one of the best records in program history and was about to start a stretch of games that would impress people across the nation. This season, the similarities between the two years are somewhat surprising in what the Seminoles have accomplished so far.

While their 12-3 start to this season is two more losses than head coach Leonard Hamilton’s team had at this point last year, the team so far has two wins against ranked teams – the same number as last year. The latest addition are led by a three headed monster that Florida State feeds off of to win or lose – much like last year’s team.

Finally, just like last season, FSU basketball is about to start a second half of the season that will contain several potential land mines that could either get this team ready for the NCAA Tournament or keep them from even making the field. But before we get to that point, let us take a look at the best – and the worst – from the first half of 20178-18.

Midseason MVP

It wasn’t going to be easy replacing the leadership and production of Dwayne Bacon and Jonathan Issac from last season, but Terance Mann has led the team in points, rebounds and field goal percentage this season. When he’s on fire, the Seminoles win – when he isn’t, they don’t.

Most Surprising Player

While Mann has been the leader on the team, Phil Cofer has come out and quietly been second on the team in points and rebounds while leading the team in three point percentage. FSU basketball is going to need him and Braian Angola to be a solid supporting cast if this team wants to make it back to March Madness.

Most Disappointing Player

Okay, it may be a little bit hard to say this since he has been out for all but four games this season, but this team won’t go that far without Christ Koumadje this season. If he can’t stay healthy, the Seminoles lose a big presence in the middle.

Best Win

The victory at home over No. 12 North Carolina was nice, but the road win over then No. 6 Florida was huge for a variety of reasons: a quality road win that was a blowout, statement performance by the Seminoles that was the fourth win in a row over their rivals – the biggest streak for FSU basketball in the series.

Worst Loss

The one point upset defeat to Oklahoma State was one that hurt, but the loss against then No. 3 Duke hurt even more because the Seminoles had that game – this one was going to be the game that, when combined with the Florida and North Carolina wins, would have cemented that tournament resume.

Biggest Games Left

There are three games that the Seminoles must win to help their tournament resume look good. Home games against Miami (Jan. 27th) and Virginia (Feb. 7th) are huge as they might be the last two ranked teams FSU basketball face before the conference tournament.

Next: FSU Basketball Weekly Preview: January 8th-14th

The third game comes later in the month when the Seminoles take on Clemson on February 28th for what might be the biggest road game left if the Tigers are ranked – and with losses to Duke and Miami on the road these past weekends, Florida State needs another ranked road win to combo with that Florida victory.