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Hamilton Optimistic Despite Uncertainties

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By SCOTT CARTER, The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 5, 2007

Updated: 11/04/2007 11:45 pm

TALLAHASSEE - First, he must find a way to replace Al Thornton, an NBA lottery pick and the best player to wear a Florida State uniform this decade. Second, one of his strongest allies on campus, FSU athletic director Dave Hart, is on his way out. And finally, FSU coach Leonard Hamilton has to answer questions about whether this season - his sixth in charge of the men's basketball program - could be his last if the Noles fail to make the NCAA Tournament for the 10th consecutive season.

For someone with so many uncertainties swirling around him, Hamilton doesn't seem too worried. In fact, he is more optimistic than usual.

"We are much further along than we have been," Hamilton said.

That's hard for many to imagine, especially after the Noles lost Thornton, runner-up for ACC Player of the Year honors by averaging 19.7 points and 7.2 rebounds last season. Thornton is now a rookie with the Los Angeles Clippers, leaving a huge void in the box score for the Noles.

"People ask us, 'How are we going to fill the void losing a guy of his ability?'" Hamilton said. "He set that bar high. We feel very confident our players will benefit from being around a guy who improved as much as he did."

Hamilton is confident that FSU's experienced backcourt of Toney Douglas, Jason Rich and Isaiah Swann can carry most of the scoring load lost with Thornton's departure. As for replenishing the roster, Hamilton brought in a strong freshman class that includes newcomers Julian Vaughn and Solomon Alabi, who should be able to provide an inside presence offensively and defensively that FSU has lacked in recent years.

Vaughn is 6-foot-9 with a wingspan over 7-3, and Alabi is 7-foot-1 and one of FSU's most energetic players when healthy. Hamilton also has Uche Echefu, Ryan Reid and Casaan Breeden to help in the paint when the strong trio of guards is struggling.

There are other factors in Hamilton's optimism that this year's team can exceed expectations and make FSU's first NCAA Tournament since 1998. Unlike last year, when Hamilton had to adjust the team's playing style over the summer when big men Alexander Johnson (left school early for NBA) and Jon Kreft (off-the-court trouble prevented him from joining team) became non-factors, this year's team is more cohesive and understands roles better than a year ago.

"We have more experience," said Rich, one of four returning starters. "That's the difference. The experience we have, that's big for us."

Douglas could be the key to the kind of season FSU has. During last year's 22-13 campaign, the Noles appeared on the way to making March Madness until Douglas, a transfer from Auburn, suffered a broken hand and missed five games. By the time he returned, FSU had lost too much ground and had to settle for an NIT bid.

Douglas is fully healthy once again, and he also knows FSU's system much better. He says Hamilton's optimism isn't unwarranted.

"Al carried us on his shoulders," Douglas said. "He was one of the best players in the country. We still didn't make it to the tournament. That's one of the main goals we have bought into as a team. We are coachable, buying into the system and ready to get over that hump so we can stop talking about it."

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