FSU Basketball: Analyzing Noles through first seven games
By Kelvin Hunt
FSU basketball has looked good during the early part of its non-conference schedule. We take a look at the first seven games.
No. 15 FSU basketball (6-1) has cruised through the early part of its schedule with just one blemish coming against the defending champion Villanova Wildcats in a tightly contested game last week.
The Noles have wins over two top 20 ranked teams in LSU and Purdue, all the while missing starter Phil Cofer who lead the team in scoring last season.
It has been a team that’s carried over the defensive momentum they captured to make an Elite 8 run in last season’s NCAA Tournament.
Leonard Hamilton is still working on solidifying his rotation, but FSU consistently plays nine to 10 players each game which wears most teams down.
Stats wise, one of the biggest improvements thus far has been success at the charity stripe. It’s a small sample size, but FSU basketball is making 77 percent of their free throws compared just 69 percent last season.
Terrance Mann has picked up his game tremendously thus far, improving at the free throw line +19 percent) and three-point shooting (+31 percent) through seven games.
He’s only averaging eight shots per game and probably should be taking more shots per game as he’s making 53 percent of his shots.
Mfionde Kabengale has improved his scoring from last year and made improvements at the free throw line.
True freshmen Raiquan Gray and Devin Vassell have carved themselves a nice niche into the team thus far which should prove valuable as the season moves along.
The Noles still need to see more improvement from M.J. Walker, particularly at the free throw line where he’s shooting just 53 percent.
The biggest thing FSU basketball needs to improve upon moving forward is taking care of the basketball. They’re averaging 15 turnovers per game and that’s too many against the teams they’re playing against as ACC teams will make them pay for careless turnovers more often.
FSU basketball has six more non-conference games before entering ACC play where they’ll open on the road against No. 4 Virginia on January 5.
Next. Leonard Hamilton Talks Recruiting And Changes In The Game. dark
Leonard Hamilton has to be pleased with the progress of the team thus far minus Phil Cofer. The Noles are projected to make the NCAA Tournament as a No. 5 seed.