Florida State University Athletics
Friday, November 6
Tallahassee, Fla.
7:00 PM
Florida State
vs
Troy
Photo by: Jack Mathieson
11/5/2026 11:07:00 AM | Men's Basketball
The Seminoles host the Trojans on Friday night at 7 p.m. ET inside the Tucker Center
TALLAHASSEE – The Florida State men's basketball team is set for its home opener as the Seminoles host Troy on Friday night at 7 p.m. inside the Donald L. Tucker Center. It will be the first of six consecutive home games.
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The game will be televised on ACC Network Extra, accessible through ESPN+, with John Christovich and Jacob Rindehour on the call. The game will also air on the Seminole Sports Network with Jeff Culhane and Adrian Crawford calling the action.
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The Seminoles opened their 80th season of basketÂball in dominant fashion, defeating crosstown foe Florida A&M 113-69 in the Orion180 Tip-Off Classic at Benchmark International Arena in Tampa. It was the largest margin of victory (+44) in a non-home game in Florida State history, besting the previous mark of +41 (106-65) at Jacksonville (Feb. 16, 1968).
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Much like its exhibitions, Florida State controlled the glass on both ends of the floor. The Seminoles scored 62 paint points, which is the most in a single game since Dec. 17, 2019, when they also had 62 against North Florida. On the defensive end, Florida State had a +18 rebounding margin, outrebounding the Rattlers, 47-29.
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Six Seminoles scored in double figures, something that had not been done since Nov. 13, 2023, against Central Michigan. Sebastian Rancik led Florida State with a caÂreer-high 25 points. It was the seventh-most points scored by a Seminole in a season opener.
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A trio of Florida State freshmen -- Marcis Ponder (15), Brandon Bass Jr. (13), and Martay Barnes (10) -- combined for 38 points, each scoring in double figures in their Seminole debut. Ponder registered a double-double with 15 points and a team-high 11 rebounds versus the Rattlers. He became the first freshman to record a double-double in his first collegiate game since Chris Singleton did it on Nov. 15, 2008, against Jacksonville.
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Troy, guided by first-year head coach Adam Howard, was picked to finish third in the Sun Belt Conference preseason poll, behind only ArÂkansas State and James Madison. The Trojans have won back-to-back SBC reguÂlar season and tournament titles, earning the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament from their league in 2025 and 2026.
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Troy suffered a 71-60 loss at home to UMass in its season opener this past Monday in the MAC-SBC Challenge. The Trojans shot just 34.4 percent from the field, trailing by as much as 25 to the Minutemen who capitalized on a 17-0 run.
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Florida State leads the all-time series versus Troy, 9-2. The Seminoles had won eight straight over the Trojans prior to Troy winning the last matchup, 79-72, in Tallahassee in 2022.
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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).
Â
The game will be televised on ACC Network Extra, accessible through ESPN+, with John Christovich and Jacob Rindehour on the call. The game will also air on the Seminole Sports Network with Jeff Culhane and Adrian Crawford calling the action.
Â
The Seminoles opened their 80th season of basketÂball in dominant fashion, defeating crosstown foe Florida A&M 113-69 in the Orion180 Tip-Off Classic at Benchmark International Arena in Tampa. It was the largest margin of victory (+44) in a non-home game in Florida State history, besting the previous mark of +41 (106-65) at Jacksonville (Feb. 16, 1968).
Â
Much like its exhibitions, Florida State controlled the glass on both ends of the floor. The Seminoles scored 62 paint points, which is the most in a single game since Dec. 17, 2019, when they also had 62 against North Florida. On the defensive end, Florida State had a +18 rebounding margin, outrebounding the Rattlers, 47-29.
Â
Six Seminoles scored in double figures, something that had not been done since Nov. 13, 2023, against Central Michigan. Sebastian Rancik led Florida State with a caÂreer-high 25 points. It was the seventh-most points scored by a Seminole in a season opener.
Â
A trio of Florida State freshmen -- Marcis Ponder (15), Brandon Bass Jr. (13), and Martay Barnes (10) -- combined for 38 points, each scoring in double figures in their Seminole debut. Ponder registered a double-double with 15 points and a team-high 11 rebounds versus the Rattlers. He became the first freshman to record a double-double in his first collegiate game since Chris Singleton did it on Nov. 15, 2008, against Jacksonville.
Â
Troy, guided by first-year head coach Adam Howard, was picked to finish third in the Sun Belt Conference preseason poll, behind only ArÂkansas State and James Madison. The Trojans have won back-to-back SBC reguÂlar season and tournament titles, earning the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament from their league in 2025 and 2026.
Â
Troy suffered a 71-60 loss at home to UMass in its season opener this past Monday in the MAC-SBC Challenge. The Trojans shot just 34.4 percent from the field, trailing by as much as 25 to the Minutemen who capitalized on a 17-0 run.
Â
Florida State leads the all-time series versus Troy, 9-2. The Seminoles had won eight straight over the Trojans prior to Troy winning the last matchup, 79-72, in Tallahassee in 2022.
Â
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
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/ Men's Basketball
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/ Men's Basketball
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/ Men's Basketball
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/ Men's BasketballWednesday, November 04
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