Florida State University Athletics
Seminoles Versus Gators In Men’s Hoops
11/15/2001 12:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 15, 2001
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SETTING THE SCENE
Florida State begins the 2001-02 season, its fifth under head coach Steve
Robinson, as it travels to play No. 7 Florida. It marks the third
consecutive season and fifth time in school history the Seminoles have
played their season opener against the in-state rivals. Florida State is
1-3 against Florida when the annual game against the Gators is played as its
season opener. Following Friday night’s game against Florida, the Seminoles
play four of their next five games at home in the Tallahassee Leon County
Civic Center. The home opener comes Nov. 20 against Savannah State. Only
three of the Seminoles’ first 11 games are on the road to begin the season.
Season Openers Against Florida
Date, Site, Winner, Outcome
Dec. 3, 1963 at Gainesville Florida L, 78-55
Nov. 28, 1986 at Tallahassee Florida State W, 80-76
Nov. 19, 1999 at Gainesville Florida L, 96-61
Nov. 17, 2000 at Tallahassee Florida L, 85-70
SEMINOLES IN SEASON OPENERS
Florida State has won nine of their last 11 season openers dating to the
first game of the 1990-91 season. During the 55-year history of basketball
at Florida State University, the Seminoles have won more than 75 percent of
their season openers as they have a 43-12 record for a .781 winning
percentage. Entering Friday night’s game at Florida, the Seminoles have won
three of their last four season openers when they came on the court of their
opponent.
Seminoles In Season Openers
Category, Record, Winning Percentage
Home Openers, 37-1, .974
Road Openers, 5-10, .333
THIRD EARLIEST SEASON OPENER FOR SEMINOLES
Florida State is playing its third earliest season opener as it begins its
season on Nov. 16 against Florida. The earliest season opener in school
history came on Nov. 13, 1998 when the Seminoles defeated Sam Houston State,
88-51, in a game played in Tallahassee. Florida State is 2-0 in games
played before Nov. 15 and 3-1 in games played before Nov. 20.
Early Season Openers
Date, Opponent, Site, Outcome
Nov. 13, 1998, Sam Houston State, Tallahassee, Fla. W, 88-51
Nov. 14, 1997, Rice, Dallas, Texas, W, 65-53
Nov. 17, 2000, Florida, Tallahassee, Fla., L, 85-70
Nov. 18, 1992, Siena, Tallahassee, Fla., W, 89-80
ON THIS DATE IN SEMINOLE BASKETBALL HISTORY
This is the first game in school history being played on Nov. 16.
STEVE ROBINSON IN SEASON OPENERS
Head coach Steve Robinson has a 4-2 record in six season openers as a
collegiate head coach. He won the first three season openers of his career
(two of the University Of Tulsa and one at Florida State. Robinson led the
Golden Hurricane past North Carolina A&T, 100-51, in his first collegiate
game to begin the 1996 season and past UCLA to begin the 1997 season.
Robinson opened his career at Florida State with a victory over Rice to
begin the 1998 season.
Robinson in Season Openers
Year, Opponent, Score
1996, North Carolina A&T W, 100-51
1997, UCLA W, 77-76 (OT)
1998, Rice W, 65-63
1999, Sam Houston State W, 88-51
2000, Florida L, 61-86
2001, Florida L, 70-85
SEASON OPENERS AGAINST RANKED TEAMS
Florida State’s season-opener against No. 5 Florida marks the third time in
school history the Seminoles play a team ranked in the nation’s top five to
begin their schedule. The Seminoles opened their 1958-59 season against No.
2 Kentucky and began their 1961 schedule with a trip to play No. 1 Ohio
State.