Leonard Hamilton assesses where Florida State stands entering break

For how things started in Tallahassee, Leonard Hamilton’s team has found its footing a bit as it ends the year. Florida State now sits at 4-10 on the year after a 3-1 stretch over their last four games. Now, as they head into Christmas break, Hamilton believes his players have a better sense of positivity about themselves.

Hamilton felt good in his postgame press conference after the Seminoles got their second straight ACC win in a 73-72 victory over Notre Dame. He says he feels some positive vibes from his roster because of their recent stretch of success.

“I think the kids are going home with a positive feeling about what we’re doing and the direction we’re moving our program in,” said Hamilton. “We’ve had some good games. We’ve had some games where we play like we’re not anything close to the level we’ve been accustomed to playing. But I like the vibe that I’m getting.”

There was nothing positive about Florida State from opening night until the start of December. They started 1-9, albeit with two of those losses coming against Top-5 teams. With that said, this stretch of three wins in four games includes conference wins over Louisville and the Fighting Irish.

Hamilton believes this is a launching pad for his team heading into 2023. It still has plenty of work to do but, as it heads into next year with a winning conference record, Hamilton thinks the Seminoles are on the right track to finish on a better note than they started on.

“I think that this team will continue to keep growing,” Hamilton said. “We can finish off positively in the ACC race. And we’ll get a very good test when we come back.”

That test is quite a tall task as it’s a trip to Cameron Indoor on New Year’s Eve to face off with a Top-25 Duke team. However, with a more positive resolve and a pair of close losses to AP teams already to their name, Hamilton is hoping his team will come back with the right attitude to potentially get a massive road win to start the new year with.