The Florida State Seminoles are hoping to improve their image and record with a new coach and fresh team attitude.
Although the Seminoles finished with a disappointing 12-17 overall record last season, they surprised their fans and the press on several occasions. Wins over Duke and Virginia last season showed there is talent on the Seminole squad and gave hope for the future of Florida State.
For the 2002-2003 season, Leonard Hamilton will take the helm as Florida State's head coach after 29 years of experience on the collegiate and professional levels. Hamilton spent last year in the NBA with the Washington Wizards, and the prior 10 seasons with Miami. During his stint with the Hurricanes, Hamilton completely revamped the team, coaching them in three consecutive NCAA tournaments with two straight 20-win seasons in his final years as head coach. His successful style is focused around a strong defense, which is appropriate because Florida State has some of the top defensive players in the conference and has held its opponents below 50 percent shooting from the field for the past 16 years.
"We probably spend more time on defense than offense. He practices and preaches defense," said junior Michael Joiner of Hamilton. "We're just in your face this year."
Joiner returns this season as the Seminoles' most experienced player, having started in 53 games in his first two years on the team. He is Florida State's current career leader in points, rebounds, assists, steals and minutes played per game, as well as total 3-point shots made. He was an all-ACC candidate last year, and will be the Seminoles' biggest offensive threat.
Hamilton's teams are known for their defense. Seniors Mike Mathews and Trevor Harvey enter this season as the third leading shot-blocking duo in the ACC.
Another player to watch out for is sophomore Anthony Richardson, who was on last season's honorable mention All-ACC freshman team and earned ACC rookie of the week honors. He was also the only player to rank among the conference's top 10 rookies in rebounds, scoring, blocked shots and steals.
"Anthony is really making progress," Hamilton said. "He's working hard and his attitude is great."
There is no doubt in the players' minds that they have the talent to win.
"We've always had the talent at Florida State to do it and we've proven that on a few occasions," sophomore Andrew Wilson said.
Hamilton has a similar view. "Our realistic goal is to be the best team we can be and not take the talent we have and maximize it to the nth degree"
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