FSU basketball is undefeated, but first test is against No. 20 Florida | Things to know

Florida State men's basketball (3-0) is not where it needs to be, but Leonard Hamilton is pleased with its current direction in the opening weeks of the season.

The Seminoles are still searching for their rhythm, according to Hamilton. It is a work in progress, knowing that the Seminoles are 12-men deep with 10 new players on this year's roster.

Even despite a 3-0 start and coming off a 72-52 victory over Tarleton State on Tuesday at the Donald L. Tucker Center, Hamilton wants to see improvements as they prepare for Friday's home showdown against the No. 20 Florida Gators (3-0) at 6 p.m.

"We had moments where we played very, very good, and we had moments that we need some areas to continue to work on," Hamilton said on Tuesday.

"I'm encouraged with the potential of the talent. I'm concerned that it is obvious of the things we need to work on. I think that's a product of the new age of the basketball world that we live in. Maybe athletic world. "

According to Hamilton, one example the Seminoles need to work on is showing cohesiveness on both ends of the floor.

FSU shot 44.9 percent and struggled beyond the arc against The Texans. No Seminoles reached double-figures. Freshman guard Daquan Davis was the top scorer with nine points off the bench.

"The mystery to me is our perimeter shooting. When we chart every day, we chart all our shots every day. I've been pleased with how we shot the ball in practice, but it hadn't transferred into the game," Hamilton said.

"It looked more mental than anything else, and hopefully, we'll be a lot more consistent there as to who we are, how to play to each other's talents that we have on the team and how to create for each other."

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Chandler Jackson has high expectations and wants to set the tone on defense

Defense doesn't seem to be a problem for the Seminoles.

It came through in the second half after generating 21 turnovers, including 13 steals. FSU has 12 steals and six blocks thus far.

Junior guard Chandler Jackson takes pride in his defensive efficiency and wants to continue to take charge on the defensive end as one of three returning leaders on the team.

"The older guys, we set the tone. That's our role. We lead and they follow," Jackson said.

"So me, Jamir (Watkins), and Taylor (Bol Bowen) that's what we try to do. I told Coach Ham today I have been trying to lead on the defensive end, so the guys can pick it up. Once they see one of us do it, they know to do it too."

Jackson and teammates have high expectations and share the same goals of wanting to contend for the ACC Championship and make the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2021.

"We all have the same goal and want the same thing," Jackson said.

"We all want to go to the ACC championship, win that game and go to the (NCAA) tournament. We talk about it all the time. We have this saying now and that's how we take it every game."

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Things to know about the Florida Gators

It is the 24th meeting between the two interstate rivals. Both are coming into Friday's Sunshine State Showdown with a 3-0 record and momentum.

The Gators are coming off a dominating victory over Grambling State on Monday.

Hamilton said he saw a glimpse of the Gators' film and believed they looked similar to last season's team. UF went 24-12 last season and an NCAA Tournament appearance.

"They are a high-intensity team. "They have some, probably a little few more veterans mixed in with some younger players, and since they are big and strong, I think they are similar to what we faced last year," Hamilton said.

"A team that seemed to be playing a little bit more together, and I don't know

the makeup of their team, but I like what I'm seeing from them from a challenge standpoint."

This is one of FSU's toughest tests on its non-conference schedule.

FSU is 11-13 in its all-time meeting with UF. The Gators have beaten the Seminoles for three straight seasons. Two of those years were by double-digits.

Hamilton expects to see how the Seminoles perform against an elite-level team like the Gators and where they could be before their conference play.

"That's the kind of game you need this time of year to let everybody know that this is the level we gotta be effective enough to compete against in the ACC," Hamilton said.

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Players to watch

Walter Clayton Jr., guard, senior

Walter Clayton Jr. is Florida's top scorer. In its season opener, he dropped 29 points against South Florida.

He averages 16.7 points a game and shoots 56 percent from the field. Clayton made the First-Team Preseason All-SEC team.

Will Richards, guard, senior

Will Richards is not too far off from Clayton. As a matter of fact, they make quite a pair in the front court, which can give FSU some problems on Friday.

Richards also had a strong season opener against the USF, dropping 25 points, six rebounds, and two steals. In three games, he averages 16 points a game.

Alijah Martin, guard, senior

Alijah Martin is one of the key additions to the Gators they acquired from the transfer portal.

It was only two seasons ago when he was part of the Florida Atlantic team and made a historic run to the Final Four for the first time ever.

He is now finishing his final year of eligibility with the Gators as he is another scoring threat in the Gators' front court. The fifth-year season averages 12.3 points a game. 5.7 rebounds and 3.3. assists.

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How to watch FSU basketball vs. Florida

• Date: Friday, Nov. 15
• Time: 6 p.m.
• Where: Donald L. Tucker Center, Tallahassee
• TV: ACC Network

Peter Holland Jr. covers Florida State athletics for Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at [email protected] or on X @_Da_pistol.