Florida State basketball didn’t exactly ease into ACC play this season. The Seminoles opened with five straight losses, including back-to-back matchups against conference heavyweights North Carolina and Duke. It was a rough introduction for first-year head coach Luke Loucks, and early on, it looked like FSU might be in for a long season.
But something clicked after a blowout loss to NC State. That game, as lopsided as it was, seemed to serve as a wake-up call. From that point on, Florida State began to look like a different team-more composed, more efficient, and far more competitive.
The turnaround didn’t happen overnight. A narrow road loss to Syracuse showed signs of life, and a one-point heartbreaker against Wake Forest hinted that this team was close to figuring things out.
Since that Wake Forest game, the Seminoles are 5-2, with both losses coming by just three points-including a near-upset of No. 15 Virginia.
So what’s behind the shift? It’s not one thing-it’s a combination of smarter offense, tighter defense, and a renewed sense of identity. Let’s break it down.
Cutting Back on the Threes
Early in the season, FSU was living and dying by the three-and mostly dying. Through 25 games, they’re averaging 32.6 three-point attempts per game.
But over the last seven games, that number has dropped to 27.5. That tells us they were jacking up well over 35 threes per game in the early stretch-despite hitting just around 30 percent of them.
That’s not a sustainable formula for success.
By dialing back the volume from deep, the Seminoles have reduced the number of empty possessions. That’s made a real difference in close games-three of their five recent wins have come by three points or fewer. When you’re not wasting trips down the floor with low-percentage shots, you give yourself a chance to win tight contests.
Protecting the Ball
Turnovers have also been cleaned up in a big way. Over the last seven games, FSU has turned the ball over just 7.8 times per game.
That’s a significant improvement from their season average of 11.3. In that span, they’ve had only one game with double-digit turnovers.
That kind of ball security allows the offense to stay in rhythm and keeps pressure off the defense.
Defense Stepping Up
Speaking of defense-this group has made serious strides. Over the past seven games, opponents are shooting just 41.4 percent from the field.
Compare that to the 44.7 percent average over the full season, and you can see the improvement. The Seminoles are contesting shots better, rotating more effectively, and making teams work for every bucket.
Getting to the Line
Another key factor? Free throws.
Florida State is averaging 20 trips to the line per game over the last seven, converting at a 68.5 percent clip. That’s not elite, but it’s enough to make a difference-especially when you’re getting those attempts by attacking the rim instead of settling for long jumpers.
Interestingly, two of their wins during this stretch came despite poor free-throw shooting. In one, they locked in defensively.
In the other, they caught fire from beyond the arc, hitting 15 threes. Those games show that this team is finding different ways to win-which is a sign of growth.
Looking Ahead
All of this points to a team that’s maturing. The Seminoles are making smarter decisions with the ball, playing with more discipline on defense, and finding a better balance between perimeter shots and attacking the paint. It’s the kind of evolution you hope to see under a first-year head coach.
Next up is a home matchup against Boston College. After a big win over Virginia Tech, the question is whether FSU can avoid a letdown. If they can keep the momentum going and take care of business, it’ll be another step forward for a program that’s starting to find its footing under Loucks.
The early-season struggles may have buried them in the standings, but the Seminoles are showing signs of life-and that’s a storyline worth watching as the ACC schedule winds down.