Florida State University Athletics
Monday, November 2
Tampa, Fla.
8:30 PM
Florida State
vs
Florida A&M
Photo by: Jack Mathieson
11/1/2026 11:30:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Florida State faces its crosstown rival on Monday night at 8:30 pm ET on ESPNU
TALLAHASSEE – Florida State men's basketball opens its 80th season Monday night against crosstown foe Florida A&M in the Orion180 Tip-Off Classic at Benchmark International Arena in Tampa.
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The game will be televised on ESPNU, with Tom Hart and Jimmy Dykes on the call, and broadcast on the Seminole Sports Network with Jeff Culhane and Adrian Crawford.
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The Seminoles enter the season after winning both preseason exhibitions against SEC opponents, defeating Auburn, 82-71, in Birmingham, Alabama, and LSU, 89-87, at the Donald L. Tucker Center. Florida State scored more than 50 second-half points in both games while outscoring its opponents 68-52 in the paint and collecting 34 second-chance points. The Noles also shot 84.2 percent from the free-throw line, making 48 of 57 attempts.
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Sophomore forward Shon Abaev led the Seminoles with 20.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game. A transfer from Cincinnati and former McDonald's All-American, Abaev scored 15 points against Auburn before pouring in 26 against LSU, including five three-pointers.
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Junior guard Kam Taylor, a First Team All-Big South selection at UNC Asheville, averaged 17.5 points and 5.0 rebounds while shooting 50 percent from the field and making all 12 of his free throws.
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Center Marcis Ponder also made his mark, averaging 9.0 points, 14.0 rebounds and 2.0 blocks. He recorded 13 points and 21 rebounds against Auburn and earned a spot on the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Center of the Year preseason watch list.
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Florida A&M enters the season after a 15-16 campaign, it's most wins since 2007-08. The Rattlers finished tied for second in the SWAC at 11-7 and were picked fourth in the conference's preseason poll.
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FAMU is led by head coach Charlie Ward, one of the most accomplished student-athletes in Florida State history. Ward played basketball and football for the Seminoles from 1990-94, helping the basketball team reach three NCAA Tournaments while recording a program-record 238 career steals. On the football field, he won the 1993 Heisman Trophy and led Florida State to the national championship.
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The Rattlers return two key players recognized in the SWAC preseason honors. Antonio Baker was named Preseason SWAC Defensive Player of the Year and Second Team All-SWAC after averaging 9.9 points and 3.6 rebounds last season. Jaquan Sanders earned Preseason First Team All-SWAC recognition after averaging 11.7 points and 3.6 assists while making a team-high 59 3-pointers.
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Monday's game marks the first regular-season meeting between the Tallahassee programs since 1991. The teams met in an exhibition last season, with Florida State earning an 88-54 victory.
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For more information on Florida State men's basketball, check Seminoles.com for the latest news and scheduling information, and keep up with the team on social media through Twitter/X (@FSUHoops), Instagram (@FSUHoops) and Facebook (@FSUMBasketball).
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The game will be televised on ESPNU, with Tom Hart and Jimmy Dykes on the call, and broadcast on the Seminole Sports Network with Jeff Culhane and Adrian Crawford.
Â
The Seminoles enter the season after winning both preseason exhibitions against SEC opponents, defeating Auburn, 82-71, in Birmingham, Alabama, and LSU, 89-87, at the Donald L. Tucker Center. Florida State scored more than 50 second-half points in both games while outscoring its opponents 68-52 in the paint and collecting 34 second-chance points. The Noles also shot 84.2 percent from the free-throw line, making 48 of 57 attempts.
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Sophomore forward Shon Abaev led the Seminoles with 20.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game. A transfer from Cincinnati and former McDonald's All-American, Abaev scored 15 points against Auburn before pouring in 26 against LSU, including five three-pointers.
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Junior guard Kam Taylor, a First Team All-Big South selection at UNC Asheville, averaged 17.5 points and 5.0 rebounds while shooting 50 percent from the field and making all 12 of his free throws.
Â
Center Marcis Ponder also made his mark, averaging 9.0 points, 14.0 rebounds and 2.0 blocks. He recorded 13 points and 21 rebounds against Auburn and earned a spot on the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Center of the Year preseason watch list.
Â
Florida A&M enters the season after a 15-16 campaign, it's most wins since 2007-08. The Rattlers finished tied for second in the SWAC at 11-7 and were picked fourth in the conference's preseason poll.
Â
FAMU is led by head coach Charlie Ward, one of the most accomplished student-athletes in Florida State history. Ward played basketball and football for the Seminoles from 1990-94, helping the basketball team reach three NCAA Tournaments while recording a program-record 238 career steals. On the football field, he won the 1993 Heisman Trophy and led Florida State to the national championship.
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The Rattlers return two key players recognized in the SWAC preseason honors. Antonio Baker was named Preseason SWAC Defensive Player of the Year and Second Team All-SWAC after averaging 9.9 points and 3.6 rebounds last season. Jaquan Sanders earned Preseason First Team All-SWAC recognition after averaging 11.7 points and 3.6 assists while making a team-high 59 3-pointers.
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Monday's game marks the first regular-season meeting between the Tallahassee programs since 1991. The teams met in an exhibition last season, with Florida State earning an 88-54 victory.
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For more information on Florida State men's basketball, check Seminoles.com for the latest news and scheduling information, and keep up with the team on social media through Twitter/X (@FSUHoops), Instagram (@FSUHoops) and Facebook (@FSUMBasketball).
Players Mentioned
Friday, October 30
Friday, October 30
Wednesday, October 28
Wednesday, October 28