Florida State men's basketball will open its 2026-27 season against Florida A&M (FAMU) in Tampa. The matchup is slated to be part of a season-opening doubleheader, featuring an additional game between the Florida Gators and the Miami Hurricanes in the same city. This marks the first regular-season meeting between FSU and FAMU since 1991. The two programs have not met in a regular-season game since the 1991 Capitol City Classic, an event infamously halted by a forfeit following a fight.
The decision to play in Tampa means residents of Tallahassee will have to wait at least another season to witness a regular-season game between the Seminoles and Rattlers in their home city. This arrangement is part of a larger initiative to host multiple in-state programs for early season contests in Tampa.
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Notable Details and Context
Both Florida State and FAMU are led by former FSU point guards: Luke Loucks for the Seminoles and Charlie Ward for the Rattlers.
In the 2025-26 season, FSU men's basketball played Texas A&M at Benchmark International Arena in Tampa.
Other games on the FSU schedule for the upcoming season are expected to include contests against Florida, Houston, Texas A&M, and Dayton.
The Seminoles are also slated to participate in the ACC/SEC Challenge, with an opponent yet to be announced.
Previous Encounters and Program Histories
The previous regular-season game between FSU and FAMU in 1991 ended in a forfeit. The two teams did play in an exhibition game in Tallahassee during the most recent season.
In terms of coaching performance, Luke Loucks' first season saw FSU finish with an 18-15 record, reaching the ACC tournament quarterfinals. Charlie Ward's inaugural season with FAMU resulted in a 15-16 record and a semifinal appearance in the SWAC tournament.
