As autumn approaches, the excitement surrounding college sports intensifies, with the football season kicking off and the men’s basketball season on the horizon. The Florida State Seminoles have recently released their 14-game non-conference schedule, which includes several notable matchups against teams from the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and a key contest against a Big 12 opponent.
The Seminoles will officially begin their season on November 2, facing Florida A&M in Tampa as part of the Orion180 Tip-Off Classic. This matchup is particularly intriguing as it pits Florida State against a team coached by Charlie Ward, a former Seminoles quarterback who won the Heisman Trophy in 1993 and later enjoyed an 11-year career in the NBA. Last season, Florida A&M finished with a 15-16 record but demonstrated competitiveness in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), where they achieved an 11-7 conference record.
Following their opener, Florida State will host the Sun Belt champion Troy Trojans on November 6. The Trojans, who concluded the previous season with a 22-12 record, made an NCAA Tournament appearance, setting the stage for a challenging encounter for the Seminoles in their home arena.
A highlight of the non-conference schedule is the annual rivalry game against the Florida Gators, scheduled for November 10. The Gators, who boast a rich basketball tradition and are two years removed from a national championship, remain a formidable opponent in the SEC. They will be led by senior forward Thomas Haugh, who averaged 17.1 points and 6.1 rebounds per game last season, making this matchup a must-watch for fans.
On November 20, the Seminoles will welcome Green Bay to their home court. The Phoenix, coming off an 18-15 season, were one of the top teams in the Horizon League, adding another layer of challenge to Florida State's non-conference slate.
Additional home games in November include contests against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on November 13, Ball State on November 17, and UNC Asheville on November 24, all of which will contribute to the Seminoles' preparation for the upcoming ACC season.
In a significant SEC/ACC Challenge matchup, Florida State will travel to Knoxville on December 1 to face the Tennessee Volunteers. Tennessee, led by promising NBA rookies Ja’Kobi Gillespie and Nate Ament, finished fourth in the SEC last season with a 25-12 record, making this clash a critical test for the Seminoles.
After hosting Dayton on December 5, Florida State will face Texas A&M again, this time on December 12 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. The Aggies, who also had a strong season last year, return guard Marcus Hill, who averaged 10.3 points per game, ensuring another competitive matchup.
The Seminoles will then host Jacksonville on December 16 before traveling to Jacksonville to take on the Houston Cougars on December 20. Houston, led by standout rookies Kingston Flemings and Emanuel Sharp, was a top-performing team last season, finishing just behind Arizona in the Big 12 Conference.
Florida State will conclude its non-conference schedule at home against Bethune-Cookman on December 22. The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) schedule is still pending announcement, but the Seminoles are poised for a challenging and exciting season ahead.
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