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Florida State took Florida down to the final possession in a game in which the No. 10 Gators were favored by 18.5 points. For a program in rebuild mode, that counts as a moral victory.

Florida State men's basketball played its first road game under new head coach Luke Loucks on Tuesday night, a 78-76 loss at No. 10 Florida. Despite being FSU's first loss of the young season, it was an impressive outing for Loucks and his team.

FSU's program entered the year in what is essentially a full rebuild mode under its first-time head coach. While the Seminoles entered the night 2-0, they hadn't exactly set the world on fire, with wins over Alcorn State and Alabama State.

And Florida, of course, is the defending National Champion.

The BetMGM SportsBook had the Gators as 18.5 favorites coming into the night. All signs pointed to the Noles getting blown out in a road rivalry game.

Instead, FSU kept it close for the entire game, even leading by three at halftime - a 40-37 score at the break. The game ultimately came down to the final shot, when a halfcourt heave by FSU's Chauncey Wiggins came up short.

Meanwhile, FSU's Robert McCray V had his third consecutive star performance for the Noles. He scored a game-high 29 points, including FSU's final 15 points of the night. The Seminole defense impressed, as well, racking up nine steals and forcing 18 UF turnovers. 

Moral victories don't count on the score sheet, but Tuesday night's result for FSU is about as promising as a loss can be.

FSU Stat Leaders

Points: McCray 29
Rebounds: Kobe Magee 9
Assists: McCray 4
Box score

2025-26 Schedule and Results:

FSU 108, ALCORN STATE 76
Record: 1-0

FSU 101, ALABAMA STATE64
Record: 2-0

FLORIDA 78, FSU 76
Record: 2-1

UT MARTIN
Nov. 18 (Tue) Time: 7 p.m.
@ Tallahassee, Fla.
TV: ACCNX/ESPN

GEORGIA SOUTHERN
Nov. 21 (Fri) Time: 6 p.m.
@ Tallahassee, Fla.
TV: ACCNX/ESPN

CSU BAKERSFIELD
Nov. 25 (Tue) Time: 7 p.m.
@ Tallahassee, Fla.
TV: ACCNX/ESPN

TEXAS A&M
Nov. 28 (Fri) Time: 5 p.m.
@ Tampa, Fla.
TV: ESPN2

GEORGIA
Dec. 2 (Tue) Time: 9 p.m.
@ Tallahassee
TV: ACCN/ESPN

HOUSTON
Dec. 6 (Sat) Time: 8 p.m.
@ Houston, Texas
TV: Peacock

UMASS
Dec. 13 (Sat) Time: noon
@ Sunrise, Fla.
TV: ACCN/ESPN

DAYTON
Dec. 16 (Tue) Time: 7 p.m.
@ Dayton, Ohio
TV: CBS Sports

MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE
Dec. 19 (Fri) Time: 7 p.m.
@ Tallahassee, Fla.
TV: ACCNX/ESPN

JACKSONVILLE
Dec. 22 (Mon) Time: 7 p.m.
@ Tallahassee, Fla.
TV: ACCNX/ESPN

NORTH CAROLINA
Dec. 30 (Mon) Time: 7 p.m.
@ Chapel Hill, N.C.
TV: ESPN2

DUKE
Jan. 3 (Tue) Time: 3:45 p.m.
@ Tallahassee, Fla.
TV:  tbd

NC STATE
Jan. 10 (Sat) Time: noon
@ Tallahassee, Fla.
TV: ACCN/ESPN

SYRACUSE
Jan. 13 (Tue) Time: 9 p.m.
@ Syracuse, N.Y.
TV: ACCN/ESPN

WAKE FOREST
Jan. 17 (Sat) Time: 6 p.m.
@ Tallahassee, Fla.
TV: ESPN 

MIAMI
Jan. 20 (Tue) Time: 7 p.m.
@ Coral Gables, Fla.
TV: ESPNU

SMU
Jan. 24 (Sat) Time: 4 p.m.
@ Dallas, Texas
TV: ACCN/ESPN

CALIFORNIA
Jan. 28 (Wed) Time: 7 p.m.
@ Tallahassee, Fla.
TV: ACCN/ESPN

STANFORD
Jan. 31 (Sat) Time: 6 p.m.
@ Tallahassee, Fla.
TV: ACCN/ESPN

NOTRE DAME
Feb. 7 (Sat) Time: 4 p.m.
@ South Bend, Ind.
TV: ACCN/ESPN

VIRGINIA
Feb. 10 (Tue) Time: 7 p.m.
@ Tallahassee, Fla.
TV: ESPNU

VIRGINIA TECH
Feb. 14 (Sat) Time: 2 p.m.
@ Blacksburg, Va.
TV: ACCN/ESPN

BOSTON COLLEGE
Feb. 17 (Tue) Time: 6 p.m.
@ Tallahassee, Fla.
TV: ACCN/ESPN

CLEMSON
Feb. 21 (Sat) Time: noon
@ Clemson, S.C.
TV: CW

MIAMI
Feb. 24 (Tue) Time: 9 p.m.
@ Tallahassee, Fla.
TV: ACCN/ESPN

GEORGIA TECH
Feb. 28 (Sat) Time: noon
@ Atlanta, Ga.
TV: ACCN/ESPN

PITTSBURGH
March 4 (Wed) Time: 9 p.m.
@ Pittsburgh, Pa.
TV: ACCN/ESPN

SMU
March 7 (Sat) Time: 2 p.m.
@ Tallahassee, Fla.
TV: ACCN/ESPN

ACC TOURNAMENT
March 11-15
Charlotte, N.C.