Tracking FSU basketball’s ranking in 2018 preseason polls

Last season, the Florida State men’s basketball team turned heads across the country, making a surprising run to the Elite 8 of the NCAA Tournament. The Seminoles return several key pieces for the 2018-2019 season, and national pundits are taking notice of a team that could once again make a meaningful run come March.

One outlet to have done so is Blue Ribbon, which on Tuesday released its preseason rankings. And the ’Noles have a prominent place in its top-25, garnering the No. 15 spot. Noticeable entries ahead of FSU are the Gonzaga Bulldogs, at No. 3, whom Florida State beat in the Sweet 16, as well as ACC foes Duke (No. 4), Virginia (No. 7), and North Carolina (No. 12).

The ACC has more teams in this top-25 than any other conference, as Clemson (No. 17), Syracuse (No. 22), and Virginia Tech (No. 24) also made the list. Michigan, which topped the Seminoles to advance to the Final Four, comes in at No. 23. The ’Noles are the highest ranked team from the state of Florida, as UF checks in at No. 20.