The Seminoles basketball head coach has a surging team. But he and FSU instilled humbleness ahead of the big Tuesday matchup versus Virginia.
Florida State basketball has a more gleeful locker room as of late.
Winning three straight games -- all within the Atlantic Coast Conference -- created the new internal jubilation. Beating Notre Dame Saturday emerged as the third win in a row.
Head coach Luke Loucks has his first ACC winning roll since taking over for his alma mater. Now they get a huge top 20 showdown looming for Tuesday night with No. 18 Virginia coming to town.
Loucks' team is brimming with new confidence. But he told reporters via teleconference Monday that he's also got an unsatisfied group.
"We're really looking forward to the fight and especially at home," Loucks said. "We have a little win streak going here, but we're not satisfied with where we are at."
Florida State stunned an improving Stanford team to get here. They also took down another fast-riser in Cal. But their momentum started by upsetting in-state rival Miami.
He knows the Cavaliers are no slouch -- and is aware his team still has lots to accomplish.
"We know we still have a long way to go and a lot of areas to improve. Virginia, a top 20 team coming into our place, we're really excited to lace them up and fight," Loucks said.
This Tuesday contest rises as the biggest game on FSU's schedule this week. The Tucker Center looks ready to get filled and become loud with the annual powerhouse Cavaliers in town.
"Virginia is a great team. They do all the little things right," Loucks said. "They rebound the ball at a high level. They control the tempo. They press to keep you on your heels and try to slow down the offense. It is a little bit of different styles."
So how does the Noles plan to counter the 20-3 Cavs?
"We want to get out and run, play fast pace. I think we're either first or second in tempo in the ACC and Virginia's towards the bottom, because they do such a good job controlling the pace and forcing opponents to play their style," he said.
Yet he believes another area will dictate the win.
"It is going to be a battle on the boards," he added. "Virginia does such a good job crashing. They have multiple guys that can rebound at a high level."
Lastly, Loucks and the Seminoles will face a cerebral and gritty basketball team as he described.
"They're smart. They're physical across the board. They play a tough style....a physical style of basketball," he concluded.
Virginia is the heavy favorite currently at 8.5-points per FanDuel Sportsbook. But an FSU upset will get fans storming the court.
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