The University of West Florida men’s basketball team is heading into its Division I future with a marquee test already on the calendar.
UWF will face Florida State on Nov. 29 at 2 p.m. at the Pensacola Bay Center in a game both schools are calling The Battle of the Bay. The matchup is part of the Pensacola Hardwood Series and gives the Argos a high-profile stage in their first season scheduling as a Division I program.
For UWF, it’s a significant marker. The game against the Seminoles will be the program’s first against a Power 4 opponent as the Argos continue their move to Division I.
“Playing Florida State in Pensacola is an exciting opportunity for our men’s basketball program and for the entire UWF community,” UWF athletic director Dave Scott said in a press release. “As we begin our new Division I era, matchups like this reflect the caliber of competition our student-athletes will experience while also allowing us to showcase UWF on a much larger stage.”
Head coach Tanner Smith pointed to the same kind of opportunity for his team.
“Anytime you have the opportunity to compete against a program like Florida State, it’s something our players and staff can be excited about,” UWF men’s basketball head coach Tanner Smith said in a press release. “We’re looking forward to competing against the Seminoles and giving our fans another memorable night of basketball in Pensacola.”
Florida State brings a fresh look of its own. The Seminoles finished 18-15 in Luke Loucks’ first season as head coach after he replaced long-time coach Leonard Hamilton.
"We're also excited to return to the Panhandle in November to play West Florida,"Loucks said in a press release. "They're building a new Division I program, and we're looking forward to suiting up and competing against them. Personally, I have a lot of connections to Pensacola, with my wife Stevi being from Gulf Breeze, so being able to bring our team to the community and share Florida State basketball with our fans there makes this opportunity even more meaningful."
The Florida State game is one of five in-state matchups on UWF’s non-conference slate, which also includes trips to Florida International on Nov. 6 and South Florida on Dec. 2, plus home games against Baptist University of Florida on Nov. 9 and Pensacola Christian College on Dec. 5.
Other notable non-conference games include a trip to South Alabama on Nov. 20 and a home date with Navy on Dec. 13.
The Seminoles’ appearance also helps close out the Pensacola Hardwood Series, with Florida State involved in two of the three games. Mississippi State and Florida State meet in an exhibition game branded the Southern Tip-Off on Oct. 10 at 5 p.m., while South Alabama and Loyola Marymount will play in the Coastal Classic at 7 p.m.
UWF’s full 2026-27 non-conference schedule also includes Southeastern Baptist on Nov. 2, Alabama A&M on Nov.
12, Cleveland State at Alabama A&M on Nov. 13, Wisconsin Green Bay on Nov.
17, Northwestern State on Nov. 25, Alabama State on Dec.
16, West Georgia on Dec. 19, North Alabama on Dec.
21, Tarleton State on Dec. 28 and Austin Peay on Jan. 2.
In Other News...
Florida State's Backup QB Battle Just Took A Surprising Turn
Florida States backup quarterback picture is suddenly a little more interesting, and Malachi Marshall is right in the middle of it. Mike Norvell said the JuCo transfer has added 18 pounds and improved his strength, signs that he has handled the physical transition well enough to put himself in position to help this season. Behind starter Ashton Daniels, the Seminoles are sorting through a competition that also includes second-year quarterback Kevin Sperry, and the job carries real importance given how quickly a season can change at the position.
Norvells history developing quarterbacks has often been a point of scrutiny, which is part of why this battle matters beyond simple depth-chart housekeeping. If Daniels were to go down, Florida State needs someone who can step in without the offense losing its footing, and Marshalls size gain has made him an intriguing option in that role. Sperry remains in the mix, but Marshalls recent progress gives this competition a different feel than it had a few weeks ago. [Read more 🡒]
Florida State May Be Stuck With Mike Norvell Longer Than Fans Want
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Even so, firing him would not be simple. Florida State would be staring at a buyout estimated in the $45 million to $50 million range, and the Seminoles are about to face a brutal stretch with SMU and Alabama on the schedule. Those games will shape the mood around the program, but they also may determine whether the conversation around Norvell turns into real movement or just more uneasy waiting. [Read more 🡒]
FSUs Backup QB Picture Just Got More Interesting Behind Ashton Daniels
The backup quarterback race at Florida State has taken on a little more shape, and Malachi Marshall is right in the middle of it. Since joining the program, he has drawn praise from the coaching staff for the progress he has made, including added weight and a better grasp of the offense. Mike Norvell has pointed to that development as a reason Marshall has become a real factor behind starter Ashton Daniels, alongside Kevin Sperry.
The new NCAA 5-for-5 eligibility rule only adds another layer to Marshall's standing in the room. Because he can play without burning a redshirt, Florida State has more flexibility in how it uses him if the need arises, which makes his growth even more relevant to the depth chart. For a team that wants reliable options behind Daniels, Marshall's rise is one of the more interesting subplots to watch. [Read more 🡒]