In a wild turn of events, former Florida State center Alex Steen has been granted a temporary injunction, allowing him to immediately return to the Seminoles' basketball team. Steen, who exhausted his eligibility last season, lost his initial lawsuit in an attempt to return to Florida State, but a successful appeal has given the center his fifth year.
Adding Steen back to the tea is a huge boost for Florida State, but nobody is happier about the decision than coach Luke Loucks. The Seminoles' coach has been advocating for Steen since his initial lawsuit was denied in September, and now Loucks will be getting back a key piece of his Year 1 team in Tallahassee.
With Alex Steen's injunction win, Florida State will have a key player return to an improved roster
The talk surrounding Steen for months now has involved his push to return to the NCAA for a fifth season. Steen exhausted his eligibility shortly before the new 5-in-5 rule took effect, which would have granted him an additional year had he been entering his fourth collegiate season. Steen's initial lawsuit was denied by the judge, which turned a possible return to Tallahassee into a likely distant dream.
Steen, with the public support of Loucks, continued to fight to find a way back onto the court this season with the Seminoles. The center appealed the decision, leading to a temporary injunction being granted yesterday, allowing Steen to return to the team for the upcoming season.
Getting Steen back this season is massive for both Florida State and Loucks due to what he can offer this completely different team. Loucks returned three players from last year's roster, but the majority of the rotation used in the exhibition against Auburn consisted of new faces. Steen, who already knows Loucks' system, needs no time to get up to speed.
It was just one exhibition, but Florida State did have a few concerns that Steen would be able to immediately alleviate. Freshman center Marcis Ponder looks like a serious threat in the paint, but with fellow big man Sebastian Rancik starting alongside him, that leaves just Cooper Schwieger as the lone big man off the bench. Steen can immediately provide Florida State with more height and experience in the paint, which is something Loucks did not necessarily have last season.
Additionally, Florida State has capable outside shooters in the backcourt who are going to be taking the majority of the perimeter shots. Loucks needs bigs who can control the boards and battle inside when the perimeter looks are not there, and Steen certainly gives the team a boost in that area. Steen is a prototypical forward who does virtually all of his damage in the paint, which should create a menacing one-two punch when Ponder is also on the court.
Everyone loves to see the offense score at will, but can we talk about the defense? Ponder blocked three shots in the exhibition against Auburn, including a ridiculous block of a floater just inside the paint. Ponder can block shots against any type of player, and with the help of a former Sunshine State Conference Defensive Player of the Year in Steen, Florida State should be returning plenty of shots this season.
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