Florida State men’s basketball is set to close out January with a Saturday night showdown against Stanford - and this one carries a little extra intrigue.
Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. ET at the Donald L.
Tucker Center, with the game airing on the ACC Network. It’s the first time the Cardinal have ever made the trip to Tallahassee, and while this isn’t a traditional rivalry, there’s some recent history between these two programs that adds a little spice to the matchup.
Stanford holds a 2-0 edge all-time, including a win last year on their home floor and another back in 2022 at a neutral site. Now, the Seminoles get their shot at payback on their home court.
Florida State comes into this one with a 9-12 overall record and a 2-6 mark in ACC play. But don’t let the numbers fool you - there’s been a noticeable spark lately.
The Noles have taken two of their last three conference games and are 8-4 at home this season. Under first-year head coach Luke Loucks, the team is still finding its identity, but there are signs they’re starting to turn the corner.
Stanford, meanwhile, arrives with a 14-7 record and a 3-5 mark in league play. They've hit a bit of a skid lately, dropping three straight ACC games.
Still, the Cardinal have proven they can win on the road - they’re 5-2 away from home this season, including 2-2 in true road environments. Head coach Kyle Smith is in his second year with Stanford after previous stops at Washington State, San Francisco, and Columbia.
Across 16 seasons, he’s racked up nearly 300 career wins and brings a methodical, defense-first approach that’s helped Stanford stay competitive.
The player to watch on Saturday night? That’s Stanford’s Ebuka Okorie, who’s been nothing short of electric this season.
The freshman phenom is averaging 21.5 points per game - good for 13th in the nation and third among all freshmen. He’s in elite company, joining Duke’s Cameron Boozer and BYU’s AJ Dybantsa as the only first-year players averaging north of 21 points per game.
Okorie has already landed on multiple top-10 lists for national freshman of the year, and his ability to score at all three levels will be a major test for FSU’s defense.
For Florida State, the key will be establishing their tempo early and leaning on their home-court advantage. The Tucker Center has been good to them this season, and with a young team still learning how to close out games, playing in familiar surroundings could make all the difference. Loucks and his staff will need to find ways to disrupt Stanford’s rhythm, particularly by limiting Okorie’s touches and forcing someone else to beat them.
This game won’t decide the ACC standings, but it does offer a meaningful opportunity for both programs. For FSU, it’s a chance to build momentum heading into February and show that Loucks’ vision is starting to take shape. For Stanford, it’s about snapping a losing streak and proving they can bounce back on the road.
One thing’s for sure - when the ball tips Saturday night, there’ll be no shortage of storylines.