2017–18 Florida State Seminoles men's basketball team
American college basketball season
Florida State recruit M. J. Walker at the 2017 McDonald's All-American Boys Game .
The 2017–18 Florida State Seminoles men's basketball team represented Florida State University during the 2017–18 NCAA Division I men's basketball season . The Seminoles were led by head coach Leonard Hamilton , in his 16th year, and played their home games at the Donald L. Tucker Center on the university's Tallahassee, Florida campus as members of the Atlantic Coast Conference .
Florida State finished the season 23–12, 9–9 in ACC play, to finish in a tie for eighth place. The Seminoles lost in the second round of the ACC tournament to Louisville . They received an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament where they defeated Missouri in the first round, upset Xavier and Gonzaga before losing to Michigan.
Previous season
The Seminoles finished the 2016–17 season with a record of 26–9, 12–6 in ACC play , to finish in a three-way tie for second place. They defeated Virginia Tech in the ACC tournament [ 1] before losing to Notre Dame in the quarterfinals.[ 2] They received an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament as the #3 seed in the West Region. There, they defeated #14 Florida Gulf Coast in the First Round[ 3] [ 4] before being upset by #11 Xavier in the Second Round.[ 5] [ 6]
Offseason
Departures
2017 recruiting class
US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
Name
Hometown
High school / college
Height
Weight
Commit date
M. J. Walker #5 SG
Jonesboro, GA
Jonesboro High School
6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
207 lb (94 kg)
May 24, 2017
Recruiting star ratings : Scout : Rivals : 247Sports : ESPN :
Ikechukwu Obiagu #12 C
Atlanta, GA
Greenforest Christian Academy
7 ft 0 in (2.13 m)
230 lb (100 kg)
Nov 28, 2016
Recruiting star ratings : Scout : Rivals : 247Sports : ESPN :
RaiQuan Gray #23 PF
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Dillard High School
6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
240 lb (110 kg)
Aug 8, 2016
Recruiting star ratings : Scout : Rivals : 247Sports : ESPN :
Wyatt Wilkes #35 PF
Winter Park, FL
Winter Park High School
6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
200 lb (91 kg)
Aug 31, 2016
Recruiting star ratings : Scout : Rivals : 247Sports : ESPN :
Anthony Polite #36 SG
Boca Raton, FL
St. Andrews School
6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
210 lb (95 kg)
Aug 30, 2016
Recruiting star ratings : Scout : Rivals : 247Sports : ESPN :
Overall recruiting rankings: Scout : N/A Rivals : N/A ESPN : N/A
Note : In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.
Sources:
2018 recruiting class
Roster
2017–18 Florida State Seminoles men's basketball team
Players
Coaches
Pos.
#
Name
Height
Weight
Year
Previous school
Hometown
F
0
Phil Cofer
6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
218 lb (99 kg)
Sr
Whitewater
Atlanta, GA
F
1
RaiQuan Gray
6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
250 lb (113 kg)
Fr
Dillard
Fort Lauderdale, FL
G
2
CJ Walker
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
195 lb (88 kg)
So
Arsenal Technical
Indianapolis, IN
G
3
Trent Forrest
6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
215 lb (98 kg)
So
Chipley
Chipley, FL
G
5
P. J. Savoy
6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
200 lb (91 kg)
Jr
Las Vegas Sheridan
Las Vegas, NV
G
11
Braian Angola
6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
195 lb (88 kg)
Sr
Findlay Prep North Idaho
Villanueva, Colombia
C
12
Ike Obiagu
7 ft 0 in (2.13 m)
240 lb (109 kg)
Fr
Greenforest Christian Academy (GA)
Anuja, Nigeria
G
13
Anthony Polite
6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
210 lb (95 kg)
Fr
St. Andrew's Christian School
Lugano, Switzerland
G
14
Terance Mann
6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
204 lb (93 kg)
Jr
Tilton School
Lowell, MA
G
15
Justin Lindner
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
175 lb (79 kg)
So
Christian Brothers
Memphis, TN
G
20
Travis Light (W)
6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
175 lb (79 kg)
RS Fr
Montverde Academy
Vienna, VA
C
21
Christ Koumadje
7 ft 4 in (2.24 m)
233 lb (106 kg)
Jr
Montverde Academy
N'Djamena, Chad
F
23
M. J. Walker
6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
205 lb (93 kg)
Fr
Jonesboro
Jonesboro, GA
F
25
Mfiondu Kabengele
6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
235 lb (107 kg)
RS Fr
Don Bosco Prep
Burlington, ON
F
31
Wyatt Wilkes
6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
210 lb (95 kg)
Fr
Winter Park
Orlando, FL
F
33
Will Miles (W)
6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
220 lb (100 kg)
RS Fr
Trinity Prep
Orlando, FL
F
35
Harrison Prieto (W)
6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
214 lb (97 kg)
So
St. Paul's School
Mandeville, FL
F
40
Brandon Allen (W)
6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
209 lb (95 kg)
RS Sr
Milton
Milton, FL
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
(C) Team captain
(S) Suspended
(I) Ineligible
(W) Walk-on
Roster
Schedule
Date time, TV
Rank#
Opponent#
Result
Record
High points
High rebounds
High assists
Site (attendance) city, state
Jamaican Foreign Tour
Aug 10, 2017 *
vs. Jamaican Select Team
W 117–65
–
–
–
Montego Bay Convention Center Montego Bay, Jamaica
Aug 14, 2017 *
vs. Minto 79ers
W 116–78
–
–
–
National Indoor Sport Center Kingston, Jamaica
Aug 16, 2017 *
vs. Jamaica Select Team
W 107–51
–
–
–
National Indoor Sport Center Kingston, Jamaica
Exhibition
Oct 26, 2017 *7:00 pm
Central Missouri
W 116–68
19 – Savoy
9 – Kabengele
4 – Polite
Donald L. Tucker Center (150)Tallahassee, FL
Nov 7, 2017 *7:00 pm
Thomas (GA)
W 122–52
12 – Tied
7 – Obiagu
4 – Angola
Donald L. Tucker Center Tallahassee, FL
Non-conference regular season
Nov 14, 2017 *7:00 pm, RSN
George Washington
W 87–67[ 7]
1–0
17 – Mann
8 – Mann
5 – Angola
Donald L. Tucker Center (7,455)Tallahassee, FL
Nov 17, 2017 *6:00 pm, CBSSN
vs. Fordham Jamaica Classic
W 67–43[ 8]
2–0
15 – Kabengele
9 – Kabengele
5 – Forrest
Montego Bay Convention Center (235)Montego Bay, Jamaica
Nov 19, 2017 *5:00 pm, CBSSN
vs. Colorado State Jamaica Classic
W 90–73[ 9]
3–0
22 – M. Walker
9 – Mann
8 – Angola
Montego Bay Convention Center (278)Montego Bay, Jamaica
Nov 22, 2017 *2:00 pm, ACCN Extra
Kennesaw State
W 98–79[ 10]
4–0
21 – Tied
9 – Cofer
6 – Forrest
Donald L. Tucker Center (5,284)Tallahassee, FL
Nov 24, 2017 *8:00 pm, ACCN Extra
The Citadel Jamaica Classic
W 113–78[ 11]
5–0
21 – Tied
12 – Kabengele
8 – Mann
Donald L. Tucker Center (6,021)Tallahassee, FL
Nov 28, 2017 *7:00 pm, ESPNU
at Rutgers ACC-Big Ten Challenge
W 78–73[ 12]
6–0
24 – C. Walker
10 – Obiagu
4 – Tied
Louis Brown Athletic Center (4,853)Piscataway, NJ
Dec 4, 2017 *9:00 pm, ESPN2
at No. 5 Florida Rivalry
W 83–66[ 13]
7–0
25 – Mann
12 – Cofer
4 – C. Walker
O'Connell Center (10,425)Gainesville, FL
Dec 6, 2017 *7:00 pm, ACCN Extra
Loyola (MD)
W 96–71[ 14]
8–0
18 – Angola
7 – Mann
6 – C. Walker
Donald L. Tucker Center (7,323)Tallahassee, FL
Dec 10, 2017 *12:00 pm, ESPNU
vs. Tulane Heritage Insurance Classic
W 72–53[ 15]
9–0
18 – Angola
8 – Tied
4 – Forrest
Amalie Arena (3,975)Tampa, FL
Dec 16, 2017 *2:00 pm, FS2 /FSS
No. 19
vs. Oklahoma State Orange Bowl Classic
L 70–71[ 16]
9–1
22 – Cofer
14 – Mann
6 – Forrest
BB&T Center (9,152)Sunrise, FL
Dec 18, 2017 *7:00 pm, ESPNU
No. 24
Charleston Southern
W 69–58[ 17]
10–1
19 – Cofer
6 – Tied
7 – Mann
Donald L. Tucker Center (5,836)Tallahassee, FL
Dec 21, 2017 *7:00 pm, ACCN Extra
No. 24
Southern Miss
W 98–45[ 18]
11–1
17 – Savoy
7 – Savoy
12 – Forrest
Donald L. Tucker Center (5,003)Tallahassee, FL
ACC regular season
Dec 30, 2017 2:00 pm, CBS
No. 24
at No. 4 Duke
L 93–100[ 19]
11–2 (0–1)
28 – Cofer
8 – Angola
5 – Tied
Cameron Indoor Stadium (9,314)Durham, NC
Jan 3, 2018 7:00 pm, ESPN2
No. 24
No. 12 North Carolina
W 81–80[ 20]
12–2 (1–1)
20 – Angola
9 – Mann
5 – Mann
Donald L. Tucker Center (8,931)Tallahassee, FL
Jan 7, 2018 6:00 pm, ESPNU
No. 24
at No. 15 Miami (FL)
L 74–80[ 21]
12–3 (1–2)
16 – Angola
12 – Kabengele
4 – Angola
Watsco Center (5,347)Coral Gables, FL
Jan 10, 2018 9:00 pm, RSN
No. 23
Louisville
L 69–73[ 22]
12–4 (1–3)
25 – Mann
10 – Cofer
2 – Tied
Donald L. Tucker Center (10,604)Tallahassee, FL
Jan 13, 2018 2:00 pm, ACCN
No. 23
Syracuse
W 101–90 2OT[ 23]
13–4 (2–3)
24 – Angola
11 – Forrest
8 – Angola
Donald L. Tucker Center (10,938)Tallahassee, FL
Jan 15, 2018 7:00 pm, ESPNU
at Boston College
L 75–81[ 24]
13–5 (2–4)
21 – Mann
9 – Tied
6 – C. Walker
Conte Forum (5,867)Chestnut Hill, MA
Jan 20, 2018 12:00 pm, ESPN2
at Virginia Tech
W 91–82[ 25]
14–5 (3–4)
24 – M. Walker
8 – Kabengele
7 – C. Walker
Cassell Coliseum (9,275)Blacksburg, VA
Jan 24, 2018 7:00 pm, RSN
Georgia Tech
W 88–77[ 26]
15–5 (4–4)
30 – Mann
5 – Mann
5 – Mann
Donald L. Tucker Center (9,879)Tallahassee, FL
Jan 27, 2018 4:00 pm, ACCN
Miami (FL)
W 103–94 OT[ 27]
16–5 (5–4)
21 – Cofer
8 – Cofer
6 – Angola
Donald L. Tucker Center (11,675)Tallahassee, FL
Jan 31, 2018 8:00 pm, ACCN
at Wake Forest
L 72–76[ 28]
16–6 (5–6)
23 – Cofer
8 – Koumadje
5 – Forrest
LJVM Coliseum (7,809)Winston-Salem, NC
Feb 3, 2018 4:00 pm, ACCN
at Louisville
W 80–76[ 29]
17–6 (6–5)
16 – Cofer
9 – Forrest
5 – Forrest
KFC Yum! Center (18,305)Louisville, KY
Feb 7, 2018 7:00 pm, RSN
No. 2 Virginia
L 55–59[ 30]
17–7 (6–6)
10 – M. Walker
6 – Kabengele
4 – Tied
Donald L. Tucker Center (10,657)Tallahassee, FL
Feb 10, 2018 4:00 pm, ESPN2
at Notre Dame
L 69–84[ 31]
17–8 (6–7)
16 – C. Walker
8 – Mann
4 – Forrest
Joyce Center (9,149)South Bend, IN
Feb 14, 2018 7:00 pm, RSN
No. 11 Clemson
W 81–79 OT[ 32]
18–8 (7–7)
17 – Cofer
8 – Mann
3 – Forrest
Donald L. Tucker Center (9,131)Tallahassee, FL
Feb 18, 2018 6:00 pm, ESPNU
Pittsburgh
W 88–75[ 33]
19–8 (8–7)
18 – Savoy
6 – Tied
4 – Forrest
Donald L. Tucker Center (9,123)Tallahassee, FL
Feb 25, 2018 6:00 pm, ESPNU
No. 25
at NC State
L 72–92[ 34]
19–9 (8–8)
16 – Forrest
8 – Koumadje
7 – Forrest
PNC Arena (17,037)Raleigh, NC
Feb 28, 2018 7:00 pm, ESPNU
at No. 18 Clemson
L 63–76[ 35]
19–10 (8–9)
21 – Cofer
7 – Cofer
4 – Mann
Littlejohn Coliseum (7,242)Clemson, SC
Mar 3, 2018 2:00 pm, ACCN
Boston College
W 85–76
20–10 (9–9)
21 – Tied
12 – Obiagu
5 – Forrest
Donald L. Tucker Center (9,825)Tallahassee, FL
ACC Tournament
Mar 7, 2018 12:00 pm, ESPN
(8)
vs. (9) Louisville Second Round
L 74–82[ 36]
20–11
14 – Tied
6 – Tied
6 – Forrest
Barclays Center (17,732)Brooklyn, NY
NCAA tournament
Mar 16, 2018 *9:45 pm, TBS
(9 W)
vs. (8 W) Missouri First Round
W 67–54[ 37]
21–11
14 – Kabengele
12 – Kabengele
8 – Forrest
Bridgestone Arena (17,549)Nashville, TN
Mar 18, 2018 *8:40 pm, TNT
(9 W)
vs. (1 W) No. 3 Xavier Second Round
W 75–70[ 38]
22–11
16 – Angola
6 – Tied
3 – Tied
Bridgestone Arena (17,552)Nashville, TN
Mar 22, 2018 *10:10 pm, TBS
(9 W)
vs. (4 W) No. 8 Gonzaga Sweet Sixteen
W 75–60[ 39]
23–11
18 – Mann
6 – Tied
6 – Forrest
Staples Center (19,181)Los Angeles, CA
Mar 24, 2018 *8:49 pm, TBS
(9 W)
vs. (3 W) No. 7 Michigan Elite Eight
L 54–58[ 40]
23–12
16 – Cofer
11 – Cofer
2 – Tied
Staples Center (19,665)Los Angeles, CA
*Non-conference game.
# Rankings from
AP Poll . (#) Tournament seedings in parentheses.
W=West region.
All times are in
Eastern Time .
[ 41]
Awards
Watchlists
M.J. Walker
Rankings
Ranking movementsLegend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking — = Not ranked RV = Received votes Week Poll Pre 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Final AP — — — — RV 19 24 24 24 23 RV RV RV RV RV RV 25 RV RV RV N/A Coaches RV RV^ — RV RV RV 19 25 25 RV RV RV RV RV RV — RV RV RV 18 18
^Coaches did not release a Week 2 poll
*AP does not release post-NCAA Tournament rankings
References
^ Svrluga, Barry (March 9, 2017). "Virginia Tech basketball exits ACC tournament vs. FSU, but next stop is March Madness" . Washington Post . ISSN 0190-8286 . Retrieved October 3, 2017 .
^ "Florida State falls to Notre Dame in ACC tournament semifinals" . miamiherald . Retrieved October 3, 2017 .
^ Deen, Safid. "No. 3 Florida State holds off No. 14 FGCU, wins NCAA Tournament opener" . OrlandoSentinel.com . Retrieved October 3, 2017 .
^ "Florida Gulf Coast vs. Florida State - Game Recap - March 16, 2017 - ESPN" . ESPN.com . Retrieved October 3, 2017 .
^ "No. 11 Xavier routs No. 3 seed Florida State in NCAA Tournament second round" . miamiherald . Retrieved October 3, 2017 .
^ "No. 11 Xavier dominates No. 3 Florida State to advance to Sweet 16" . USA TODAY . Retrieved October 3, 2017 .
^ Linafelt, Tim (November 14, 2017). "Veterans, Newcomers Shine As FSU Men Overwhelm George Washington" . Florida State University Department of Athletics. Retrieved November 14, 2017 .
^ Linafelt, Tim (November 17, 2017). "Florida State Tops Fordham, 67-43, At Jamaica Classic" . Florida State University Department of Athletics. Retrieved November 17, 2017 .
^ Linafelt, Tim (November 19, 2017). "FSU Men Top Colorado State, 90-73, To Take Inaugural Jamaica Classic Title" . Florida State University Department of Athletics. Retrieved November 19, 2017 .
^ Linafelt, Tim (November 22, 2017). "Cofer's Big Day Leads Noles Past Kennesaw State" . Florida State University Department of Athletics. Retrieved November 22, 2017 .
^ Linafelt, Tim (November 24, 2017). "Basketball Beats The Citadel, 113-78; Improves to 5-0" . Florida State University Department of Athletics. Retrieved November 24, 2017 .
^ Linafelt, Tim (November 28, 2017). "Walker, Cofer Deliver As FSU Men Ace Road Test At Rutgers" . Florida State University Department of Athletics. Retrieved November 28, 2017 .
^ Linafelt, Tim (December 4, 2017). "Swamped! Mann, Seminoles Overwhelm Fifth-Ranked Florida" . Florida State University Department of Athletics. Retrieved December 4, 2017 .
^ Linafelt, Tim (December 6, 2017). "Basketball Tops Loyola, 96-71, To Stay Undefeated" . Florida State University Department of Athletics. Retrieved December 6, 2017 .
^ Linafelt, Tim (December 10, 2017). "Angola Scores 18 as FSU Men Rout Tulane" . Florida State University Department of Athletics. Retrieved December 10, 2017 .
^ Linafelt, Tim (December 16, 2017). "Basketball Suffers First Loss, 71-70, To Oklahoma State" . Florida State University Department of Athletics. Retrieved December 16, 2017 .
^ Linafelt, Tim (December 18, 2017). "Surging Start To Second Half Pushes Home Streak To 26" . Florida State University Department of Athletics. Retrieved December 18, 2017 .
^ Linafelt, Tim (December 21, 2017). "Hot-Shooting Noles Dominate Southern Miss, 98-45" . Florida State University Department of Athletics. Retrieved December 21, 2017 .
^ Linafelt, Tim (December 30, 2017). "No. 24 Noles Fall In Thriller at No. 4 Duke" . Florida State University Department of Athletics. Retrieved December 30, 2017 .
^ Linafelt, Tim (January 3, 2018). "No. 24 Noles Hold Off No. 12 Heels in 81-80 Triumph" . Florida State University Department of Athletics. Retrieved January 3, 2018 .
^ Linafelt, Tim (January 7, 2018). "FSU Men Rally, Run Out Of Time At Miami" . Florida State University Department of Athletics. Retrieved January 7, 2018 .
^ Linafelt, Tim (January 10, 2018). "Not In The Cards: Louisville Snaps Home Streak At 28" . Florida State University Department of Athletics. Retrieved January 10, 2018 .
^ Linafelt, Tim (January 13, 2018). "Perseverance Pays Off In Double-OT Win Over Orange" . Florida State University Department of Athletics. Retrieved January 13, 2018 .
^ Linafelt, Tim (January 15, 2018). "Mann Scores 21 As FSU Men Fall Short At BC" . Florida State University Department of Athletics. Retrieved January 15, 2018 .
^ Linafelt, Tim (January 20, 2018). "Noles Find Shooting Touch In Key Win At VT" . Florida State University Department of Athletics. Retrieved January 20, 2018 .
^ Linafelt, Tim (January 24, 2018). "Super Mann Slams Noles Past Jackets" . Florida State University Department of Athletics. Retrieved January 24, 2018 .
^ Linafelt, Tim (January 27, 2018). "Noles Surge Past Canes In OT, 103-94" . Florida State University Department of Athletics. Retrieved January 27, 2018 .
^ Linafelt, Tim (January 31, 2018). "Cofer's 23 Not Enough As Noles' Winning Streak Snapped" . Florida State University Department of Athletics. Retrieved January 31, 2018 .
^ Linafelt, Tim (February 3, 2018). "Bench, Block Lead Noles to Road Win Against Cards" . Florida State University Department of Athletics. Retrieved February 3, 2018 .
^ Linafelt, Tim (February 7, 2018). "Defensive Struggle Ends in 59-55 Defeat to No. 2 Virginia" . Florida State University Department of Athletics. Retrieved February 7, 2018 .
^ Linafelt, Tim (February 10, 2018). "Basketball Falls At Notre Dame, 84-69" . Florida State University Department of Athletics. Retrieved February 10, 2018 .
^ Linafelt, Tim (February 14, 2018). "Forrest Sparks Huge Second Half Rally as Noles Prevail in OT" . Florida State University Department of Athletics. Retrieved February 14, 2018 .
^ Linafelt, Tim (February 18, 2018). "Late Surge Past Pitt Keeps Momentum Rolling" . Florida State University Department of Athletics. Retrieved February 18, 2018 .
^ Linafelt, Tim (February 25, 2018). "Forrest Scores 16 As FSU Men Fall At NC State" . Florida State University Department of Athletics. Retrieved February 25, 2018 .
^ Linafelt, Tim (February 28, 2018). "Cofer Scores 21 As Noles Fall At Clemson" . Florida State University Department of Athletics. Retrieved February 28, 2018 .
^ Linafelt, Tim (March 7, 2018). "Furious Rally Falls Short in 82-74 ACC Tournament Loss to Louisville" . Florida State University Department of Athletics. Retrieved March 7, 2018 .
^ Linafelt, Tim (March 16, 2018). "Noles Dominant, Resilient In Tourney Win Over Missouri" . Florida State University Department of Athletics. Retrieved March 16, 2018 .
^ Linafelt, Tim (March 18, 2018). "SWEET 16 BOUND: Noles Upset No. 1 Xavier, 75-70" . Florida State University Department of Athletics. Retrieved March 18, 2018 .
^ Linafelt, Tim (March 22, 2018). "ELITE 8 BOUND: Noles Crush No. 4 Gonzaga, 75-60" . Florida State University Department of Athletics. Retrieved March 22, 2018 .
^ Linafelt, Tim (March 24, 2018). "Magic Run Ends With Loss To Michigan In Elite 8" . Florida State University Department of Athletics. Retrieved March 24, 2018 .
^ "Men's Basketball" . Florida State Seminoles . Retrieved October 3, 2017 .
^ Walsh, Chuck (October 17, 2017). "M.J. Walker Named To Jerry West Award Watch List" . Seminoles.com . Retrieved October 18, 2017 .
External links
Venues Rivalries Culture & lore People Seasons NCAA Final Four appearance in italics