Seminole Sunday Sauce — Jan. 25, 2026: Loucks Gets First ACC Win as FSU Hoops Upsets Miami
After letting a late lead slip away in a heartbreaking loss to Wake Forest last weekend, Florida State head men’s basketball coach Luke Loucks’ first ACC victory couldn’t have been much sweeter. FSU used a pair of late free throws from Robert McCray V on Tuesday night to down rival Miami, 65-63.
Entering the contest at the Watsco Center, the Seminoles had not won on the road. Miami, who came in with a record of 15-3 overall and 4-1 in ACC play, had not lost at home.
Miami led by as many as six in the first half, but Kobe Magee’s 3-pointer at the buzzer capped a 12-5 run and gave the Seminoles a 38-37 lead at the break. The last Miami lead came with just under 17 minutes remaining on a Shelton Henderson free throw, but the Hurricanes did draw even when Malik Reneau split a pair of free throws with 21 seconds left.
With the shot clock off, FSU held for the last shot. McCray was able to get into the lane and draw contact with 1.7 seconds to go before making two foul shots to break a 63-63 tie. Lajae Jones intercepted the ensuing inbounds heave to seal the win.
McCray finished with 20 points and four assists to lead the Seminoles. Chauncey Wiggins added 10 points in the win. Henderson scored 18 points to lead Miami.
FSU gave another valiant effort on Saturday but couldn’t seal the deal in a heartbreaking 83-80 loss at SMU.
Down 46-34 at halftime, FSU rallied to take a second-half lead. Jones’ 3-pointer with less than four minutes to go gave the Seminoles a 72-69 lead but the Mustangs responded with a 7-0 run to take the lead for good.
Jones hit a trey with 10 seconds left to cut the deficit to one. FSU, however, was unable to get up a tying shot attempt.
McCray finished with 21 points, nine assists and two steals in the loss. Jones added 20 points and 12 boards. Alex Steen narrowly missed a double-double of his own, tallying 14 points and nine rebounds. Jaron Pierre Jr. led SMU with a game-high 28 points.
After a 1-1 week, FSU sits at 8-12 and 1-6 in ACC play. The Seminoles will play home games this week against California and Stanford.
FOOTBALL
Record: 5-7
Ranking: N/A
Recognitions: None
Commitments: Malachi Marshall, 3-star JUCO QB* (No. 57 JUCO*)
Decommitments: None
2026 Recruiting Class Rank: No. 14 nationally, second in ACC* (33 total commitments)
Wrap-up: The college football season came to an end this week. FSU now hopes for a better 2026.
MEN’S BASKETBALL
Record: 8-12 (1-6 ACC)
Ranking: N/A
Past Week: (1-1), beat Miami on Tuesday, 65-63; lost at SMU on Saturday, 83-80
Upcoming: vs. California (Wednesday); vs. Stanford (Saturday)
Recognitions: None
Commitments: None
Decommitments: None
2026 Recruiting Class Rank: No. 9 nationally*, second in ACC (4 total commitments)
Wrap-up: The wait is over. Luke Loucks has his first ACC win.
WomEN’S BASKETBALL
Record: 7-13 (2-6 ACC)
Ranking: N/A
Past Week: (1-1), lost to North Carolina on Sunday, 82-55; beat SMU on Thursday, 73-51
Upcoming: vs. Georgia Tech (Sunday)
Recognitions: None
Wrap-up: FSU has now won consecutive ACC road games. Its effort in Dallas on Thursday was perhaps its best performance of the season.
Swimming and Diving
Ranking: Men No. 12 CSCAA
Past Week: Idle
Upcoming: vs. Florida (Friday, Ocala)
Recognitions: None
Wrap-up: After sweeping Florida last season, FSU will look for some history repeated this week in Ocala.
Track and Field
Ranking: N/A
Past Week: Participated in Clemson Orange and Purple on Friday
Upcoming: Razorback Invite (Friday-Saturday)
Recognitions: Nafy Thiam (ACC Women’s Rookie of the Week); Shenese Walker (ACC Women’s Track Performer of the Week)
Wrap-up: FSU is off to a nice start for the indoor season.
Men’s Tennis
Record: 5-2
Ranking: No. 22 ITA
Past Week: (2-2), beat Alabama State 4-0 on Sunday; beat The Citadel 7-0 on Sunday; lost at Arizona on Wednesday, 4-1; lost to Pepperdine at ITA Kickoff on Saturday, 4-1
Upcoming: at Arizona (Sunday, ITA Kickoff); at Florida (Friday)
Recognitions: Mohammad Alkotop and Azariah Rusher (ACC Doubles Team of the Week)
Wrap-up: FSU suffered losses in a pair of top-25 matchups this week.
Women’s Tennis
Record: 2-0
Ranking: N/A
Past Week: (1-0), beat Nevada at ITA Kickoff on Saturday, 4-3
Upcoming: at Auburn (Sunday, ITA Kickoff); vs. UCF (Friday)
Recognitions: None
Wrap-up: FSU passed its first test of the season, edging Nevada at ITA Kickoff.
Women’s Golf
Ranking: N/A
Upcoming: Collegiate Invitational (Friday-Saturday)
Recognitions: None
Wrap-up: FSU heads to Mexico to begin the calendar year.
Softball
Ranking: No. 7 USA Softball; No. 7 D1Softball; No. 6 Softball America
Upcoming: vs. Samford (Feb. 5, JoAnne Graf Classic)
Recognitions: Isa Torres, IF (D1Softball Preseason All-American first team, USA Softball Player of the Year Top 50 watch list, Preseason All-ACC); Jaysoni Beachum, IF (USA Softball Player of the Year Top 50 watch list, Preseason All-ACC); Kennedy Harp, OF (USA Softball Player of the Year Top 50 watch list, Preseason All-ACC); Jazzy Francik, P (USA Softball Player of the Year Top 50 watch list, Preseason All-ACC); Ashtyn Danley, P/OF (Preseason All-ACC)
Wrap-up: FSU was picked by the ACC’s coaches to win the conference in 2026. It also had the most players named to the Preseason All-ACC team.
Lacrosse
Ranking: N/A
Upcoming: vs. Stetson (Feb. 7)
Recognitions: None
Wrap-up: The newest FSU sport is almost here.
*Recruiting rankings according to the 247Sports Composite rankings
- Mike Ferguson is the lead writer for Double Fries No Slaw. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson. For all of his work, “Like” or “Follow” Mike on Facebook.
