Florida State men’s basketball is heading to Pensacola twice this fall, with two games lined up at the Pensacola Bay Center as part of the Pensacola Hardwood Series.
The Seminoles will open their preseason schedule against Mississippi State in the Southern Tip-Off on Saturday, Oct. 10, then come back to the same building on Sunday, Nov. 29 to face West Florida in the Battle at the Bay.
The Oct. 10 meeting with the Bulldogs will be an exhibition game and the first time Florida State and Mississippi State have played since 2015.
“We're incredibly excited for the opportunity to play Mississippi State in Pensacola," said head coach Luke Loucks. "This will be our first time stepping on the court together in a game setting, and it's something our entire team is really looking forward to. We have a tremendous fan base throughout the Panhandle, so the opportunity to bring Florida State basketball to Pensacola is special for our program.”
The Nov. 29 matchup brings the Seminoles back to the Panhandle for a meeting with West Florida during the Argonauts’ first season as a Division I program.
“We're also excited to return to the Panhandle in November to play West Florida," added Loucks. "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.”
Both games are part of a Pensacola Hardwood Series that was created through a partnership between Russ Potts Productions, Inc. and the Pensacola Bay Center. The series is set to feature multiple college basketball events in Pensacola during the 2026-27 season.
Florida State’s trip to Mississippi State will be the first of three preseason exhibition games. The Seminoles also play Auburn on Oct. 14 in the Ballin in Boutwell preseason event in Birmingham, Alabama, before hosting LSU at the Donald L.
Tucker Center on Oct. 24.
The West Florida game is one piece of Florida State’s 14-game non-conference schedule. After that, the Seminoles will travel to Tennessee on Dec. 1 for the SEC/ACC Challenge. In all, 22 of Florida State’s 32 regular-season games this season will be played in the Sunshine State.
Tickets for the two Pensacola games go on sale to the general public at 10 a.m. CT on Friday, Aug. 28 at www.pensacolabaycenter.com. Broadcast details for the Southern Tip-Off, the Battle at the Bay and the Pensacola Hardwood Series will be announced later.
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
Mike Norvells seat has been a talking point in Tallahassee for months, and it is not hard to see why. Florida State has piled up 17 losses over the past two seasons, leaving plenty of fans frustrated and wondering how much longer the university will stand behind a coach who once looked like a long-term answer.
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 🡒]