Second Round Recap: Florida State/Xavier

Florida State

Jonathan Isaac
6-11, SF, Freshman
8 points, 12 rebounds, 4-7 FG

Isaac is a projected top ten pick, potentially top five, and there were plenty of things to see in this game that made you believe why. Even though Florida State got their butts kicked, Isaac stood out in a plethora of ways.



Isaac's length and frame stand out immediately when you watch FSU.  He stands at 6-11 with a 7-1 wingspan, although he only weight 200 pounds.  That doesn't bode well for his future guarding power forwards, but his motor is great on the glass.  He was able to go up and grab 12 rebounds even against some of the super big guys that Xavier has.  He can guard 1-4 easily, and how much weight he puts on will determine whether he can guard 1-5 or not.  He has great lateral movement and his length is just scary for people trying to dribble against him. 

There are two players on Florida State who use up the majority of the possessions, and that's Dwayne Bacon and Xavier Rathan-Mayes.  Isaac normally is reduced to just fitting in within their offense, something that he is absolutely exceptional at.  He normally is a play finisher, shooting a jump shot off a pass or making a move to get to his pull up, which is automatic. We didn't get to see Isaac stretch himself that much as far as playmaking off the dribble goes, but we know that at the very least he is an elite level role player. He can shoot, he can pass, and he can guard multiple positions at an elite level.  He should probably be a top five pick.

Dwayne Bacon
6-5, SG, Sophomore 
20 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 9-18 FG, 0-5 3FG

Bacon is labeled as a scorer, and rightfully so.  He has all sorts of dribble moves to create his own shot and when he gets to his 15-foot pullup, its going in every time.  He hasn't been able to stretch his jump shot out to three consistently (33.3%), which might be the biggest thing that keeps him from being an elite prospect.  He also showed flashes of playmaking for others that I didn't expect, finding open guys when he draws the help defense.  He finishes well at the rim, using his big body to absorb contact and finish.

Bacon was a lot better defensively that I remembered as well.  He wasn't afraid to get up and pressure guys and he did well thanks to his 200 pound frame and 6-10 wingspan.  He's also more explosive than he looks, showing off a monster one hand jam in this game. That is what is going to help him stick in the NBA.  If he can be a consistent two way player and compete on the defensive end, he is a potential high second round pick.  The three point shooting and non-elite level playmaking might also be his downfall. He's also going to be 22 by the time the season starts, way older than the majority of his peers.

Xavier Rathan-Mayes
6-4, PG, Junior
16 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 7-15 FG, 1-5 3FG, 1-3 FT, 4 turnovers

I really don't like pointing fingers at one player during a game, but you can make a case for Rathan-Mayes.  He has made tons of strides as a playmaker in his three years at FSU, but that went out the window this game.  He was hunting for his own shot a lot, and it ended up going badly the majority of the time.  His jumper is still not very good (32.3% from three, 53% from the line), which is bad for a guy who takes a lot of jump shots.  He doesn't finish well at the rim due to his lack of vertical athleticism, attacking with little success in this game.

The one positive thing that Rathan-Mayes brings is the defense at the point of attack.  He did well pressuring the ball and staying with his man.  His quickness isn't great but his instincts are, which is what kept him in front of his man.  He was picking up full court all game and gave a lot of effort on that end.  He is 210 pounds and isn't afraid to go to the glass.  It's hard to see how Rathan-Mayes fits in the NBA without a jumper and without an elite passing ability or athleticism.

Xavier

Trevon Bluiett
6-6, SF, Junior
29 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 8-14 FG, 3-5 3FG, 10-14 FT

Bluiett is absolutely carrying this Xavier team without starting point guard Edmond Sumner this season.  He is an elite shooter and shot maker.  He can hit shots out to three and in the mid range. Run him off the line, and he is automatic with a one dribble pull up. He was also getting to the line a ton this game attacking the rim.  He plays low to the ground, which makes it hard for him to get his shot off and create something for himself.  He can finish with either hand when he gets there, but the trouble is his lack of athleticism and speed hurts his finishing ability against length. He had a breakaway attempt and layed it up instead of dunking it, which shows you where he is at athletically.

Xavier plays zone the whole game, which goes to show where all their guys are at individually on defense.  Bluiett is thick and plays the four for them when he is in, but he stands straight up and can't move his feet with guys.  He won't be able to guard perimeter players in the league, which hurts his pro prospects.  The scoring right now is incredible and he's winning games for Xavier, but at the next level, when the athletes are longer and better, he's not going to be able to create his own shot and get it off.  It helps that he has a really quick trigger, but he won't be able to do much when guys run him off the line due to his slow feet. Even after a game like this, hard to see what translates.