Seminoles Rising

Finally, it looks like Leonard Hamilton and the Florida State Seminoles hardwood team is poised to make some real noise this season. Florida State is 15-3 after a hard fought overtime home victory over a well coached pesky Maryland squad. The 'Noles losses have come to Duke and Pittsburgh, top five teams, and at an improving Northwestern.

However, it is very clear this team is quietly learning how to win, and it may just be a team that everyone wants to avoid down the stretch. Guard Toney Douglas, pictured above, is really providing the senior leadership necessary to guide this team during the learning curve as they grow and develop.

At center, 7'1" redshirt freshman Solomon Alabi, from Montverde Academy right here in Orlando, is beginning to show signs of an extremely bright future. Dare I say but I have thought of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar at times watching him. He has surprising range and a great touch shooting the ball.

FSU could be a major surprise going forward to those not in the know. You are no longer among that group.