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Hamilton Likes His Young Team

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By COREY CLARK

The Tallahassee Democrat

Published: October 21, 2008

It has only been five days.

But so far, Florida State men's basketball coach Leonard Hamilton likes what he has seen from his young team in preseason practice.

"They have competed, and they have tried to give us what we've asked of them," Hamilton said. "Their attitudes have been great. Obviously, there's still an awful lot to learn."

The Seminoles return five lettermen from last season's 19-15 squad. The other seven scholarship players will be playing Division I basketball for the first time.

Five are high-school recruits, one is a junior college transfer and one is a redshirt freshman. None have experienced anything quite like the last five days of practice.

"They really had to get adjusted," said senior guard Toney Douglas, who averaged 15.4 points per game last season for the Seminoles. "In high school, everybody was the man in high school. But on a college team in the ACC — one of the best conferences in the country — you have to play to each other. They have to know their strengths and weaknesses."

Forward Uche Echefu and former walk-on Brian Hoff are the team's other two seniors.

Junior forward Ryan Reid and sophomore guard Jordan DeMercy are the only other members of this season's team who have been through the rigors of preseason practice.

So they knew what to expect coming in.

The seven newcomers found out quickly.

"They're tired, they're beat up, but they're still committed and ready to go, knowing that we've still got a lot of stuff to learn," Douglas said. "Since I've been here … this has been the best preseason. Everybody is on one mindset. There's no egos. None of that. Everybody has one goal, and that's to win."

With such a young team, Hamilton knows there will be some frustrating times in the weeks and months ahead. But he also admits the first five practices have been enjoyable, too.
His team's youthful exuberance is hard to ignore.

"This bunch has been fun up to this point, because they're so enthusiastic," Hamilton said. "This team has an infectious, contagious type of enthusiasm about them. They work hard, and they enjoy competing against each other.

"… Those are good signs that you like to see this time of year."

Not just for the head coach, either.

"I love this team, to tell you the truth," Douglas said. "We have a good group of guys."

The Seminoles' first exhibition game is next Wednesday at home against LCC International University.

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