Yesterday’s Poll Results

Today’s Poll

🏹 Welcome to The Chief Brief! 🏹

Happy Martin Luther King Day, Seminole!

Here’s what hit the headlines as we get into the coldest few days of the year:

🏀 Timpson Sets the Standard
Makayla Timpson’s record-breaking double-double and Florida State Women’s Basketball’s three-point barrage highlighted their dominant 88-66 win over Miami. Get the details on Timpson’s historic performance and how FSU’s offense continues to shine.

🎾 Tennis Triumph
The No. 24 Florida State women’s tennis team kicked off the season in commanding fashion, sweeping Alabama State in a doubleheader. Find out how the Seminoles extended their season-opening win streak to 15 years.

🏀 ACC Contenders in KenPom Rankings
The KenPom ratings are in, and Florida and ACC teams are making their presence felt. From Duke’s dominance to FSU’s steady climb, dive into the analytical lens shaping the tournament picture.

🏈 Junior Day Recruiting Buzz
Florida State’s first Junior Day for the 2026 class was a recruiting showcase, packed with standout performances and game-changing visits. Learn why FSU’s energy and vision are resonating with top-tier recruits.

🏀 Timpson Sets Record as FSU Dominates Miami 🏀

Florida State Women’s Basketball (15-4, 5-2 ACC) notched an emphatic 88-66 victory over Miami (11-7, 1-6 ACC) on Sunday at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center. The win featured historic performances and showcased the Seminoles' offensive firepower.

🌟 Record-Breaking Performances

• Makayla Timpson: Secured her 42nd career double-double, breaking the program record set by Natasha Howard (2010-14). Timpson delivered 10 points, 13 rebounds, 4 blocks, and 3 steals in a dominant defensive display.

• Team Three-Point Record: FSU drained 18 three-pointers, surpassing their previous single-game record of 15, set earlier this season.

🌟 Offensive Standouts

• Ta’Niya Latson: Led all scorers with 30 points, including a perfect 5-of-5 from beyond the arc, tying a program high.

• Carla Viegas: Added 14 points, sinking four triples.

• Sydney Bowles: Scored 11 points, contributing to the long-range barrage.

🌟 Game Highlights

• Resilient Second Quarter: After trailing 22-18 in the first quarter, FSU surged ahead with an 11-0 run in the second, holding Miami to 27% shooting and taking a 42-32 halftime lead.

• Third Quarter Onslaught: The Seminoles buried six three-pointers in the third, with Latson, Bowles, Viegas, and Malea Williams leading the charge to extend the lead to 64-51.

• Dominant Finish: FSU kept up the pressure in the fourth, scoring 24 points to seal the win.

📅 Up Next:
Florida State travels to face No. 14 North Carolina on Sunday, January 26, at 12:00 p.m. on ACC Network.

👉 Read more about FSU’s record-breaking win here.

🎾 No. 24 FSU Women’s Tennis Sweeps Season-Opening Doubleheader 🎾

The No. 24 Florida State women’s tennis team (2-0) kicked off the 2025 season in dominant fashion, sweeping Alabama State (0-2) 4-0 in both matches of Sunday’s doubleheader. The Seminoles extended their streak of season-opening victories to 15 consecutive years.

🌟 Match Highlights

• Doubles Dominance:

  • Maria Juliana Parra Romero and Eva Shaw swept No. 117 Melisa Mekic and Diana Craciun 6-0 on Court 1 in the first match.

  • Tina Li and Laura Putz clinched the doubles point in match two with a ranked victory on Court 1.

• Singles Standouts:

  • Eva Shaw: Delivered back-to-back wins, including a flawless 6-0, 6-0 performance on Court 1 in match two.

  • Maelie Monfils: Secured straight-set victories in both matches, winning 6-2, 6-0 and 6-0, 6-0.

  • Mary Boyce Deatherage: Clinched the first match with a 6-1, 6-1 win in her dual-match debut.

🌟 Next Up:
Florida State heads to Malibu, California, for the ITA Kickoff Weekend, starting with a match against Georgia Tech on Friday at 4:00 p.m. ET.

👉 Get the full recap here.

🏀 Breaking Down the KenPom Rankings: Florida and ACC Teams to Watch 🏀

As the 2024-25 college basketball season heats up, KenPom ratings offer an analytical lens into team performance, ranking the top 68 teams by efficiency metrics. With Selection Sunday just two months away, Florida and ACC teams are making their mark.

🌟 Florida Teams in the Spotlight

• Florida Gators (#5, +30.38): After a strong start, the Gators rebounded from recent SEC struggles with an 84-60 win over Texas. With one of the top offensive efficiencies in Division I, they remain a contender.

• Florida State Seminoles (#60, +12.99): The Seminoles have impressed with recent wins, climbing the rankings as they balance both ends of the floor.

🌟 ACC Powerhouses

• Duke Blue Devils (#1, +36.78): The Blue Devils dominate the top spot, riding a 12-game win streak with standout performances from freshman Cooper Flagg.

• Clemson Tigers (#26, +20.20): Clemson’s balanced play keeps them competitive, sitting just outside the top 25.

• North Carolina Tar Heels (#32, +18.74): Despite ups and downs, UNC remains in the mix, buoyed by strong offensive performances.

• Pittsburgh Panthers (#33, +18.55): The Panthers quietly maintain a top-35 presence with a focus on defensive consistency.

👉 Dive into the full KenPom breakdown here.

🏈 Junior Day Wrap-Up: A Closer Look at Florida State’s 2026 Targets 🏈

The energy at Florida State’s first Junior Day for the 2026 class was palpable, with recruits, families, and staff creating a dynamic atmosphere. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the key players and takeaways from a weekend that showcased FSU’s recruiting momentum:

🌟 QB Trent Seaborn (2027)
Seaborn’s visit marked a turning point in his recruitment, with the Seminoles making significant strides. Tony Tokarz and Gus Malzahn played pivotal roles in emphasizing his fit within the FSU offense. While not a definitive leader yet, the trip strengthened FSU’s standing, and Seaborn is expected back for spring practice.

🌟 Four-Star RB Amari Clemons
Already a strong contender before the visit, FSU solidified its position as Clemons’ top school. Personal time with Gus Malzahn left a lasting impression, and a return visit with his mother next week underscores his growing connection to the program. A decision may not be far off, with FSU in pole position.

🌟 Four-Star TE Corbyn Fordham (Ohio State Commit)
Fordham showed genuine interest during his visit, intrigued by the tight end role in FSU’s offense. While flipping his commitment isn’t imminent, the Seminoles’ offense and recruiting approach have made a strong impact. Continued visits could strengthen their position.

🌟 Four-Star TE Xavier Tiller (Texas A&M Commit)
Tiller’s enthusiasm for FSU’s offensive scheme, particularly under Gus Malzahn, was evident. The visit bolstered his interest, and FSU, along with Auburn, appears to be a major player in his recruitment.

🌟 Four-Star OL Canon Pickett
Miami maintains an edge due to family ties, but Herb Hand’s presence at FSU has put the Seminoles in the mix. Pickett’s admiration for Hand’s development philosophy is a positive sign. A spring practice visit will determine if FSU can gain more traction.

🌟 DT Deven Robertson (2027)
FSU’s offer made an immediate impact on Robertson, who has high regard for Terrance Knighton. While Ole Miss is still in the conversation, Robertson plans to visit FSU multiple times this spring and summer, signaling growing interest.

🌟 Four-Star DE Trenton Henderson
A lifelong FSU fan, Henderson continues to be impressed by his visits. The connection with Knighton is a major highlight, and FSU appears to have significant momentum in his recruitment. Auburn remains a key competitor.

🌟 Four-Star DL James Johnson & Four-Star Edge Zavion Griffin-Haynes

• James Johnson: The Seminoles gained ground thanks to Knighton’s developmental reputation and Odell Haggins’ personal connection. FSU is now a frontrunner alongside Miami and Florida.

• Zavion Griffin-Haynes: While the visit went well, North Carolina retains a slight edge due to location and staff relationships. FSU remains a contender but has more work to do.

🌟 Four-Star LB Izayia Williams & Four-Star LB Xavier Griffin

• Izayia Williams: A former commit, Williams’ connection with John Papuchis and Tony White has rekindled his interest in FSU. A spring visit could further strengthen their chances.

• Xavier Griffin: The USC commit was impressed by FSU’s staff, particularly Tony White’s linebacker schemes. FSU is now a significant threat in his recruitment.

🌟 Four-Star DB Kaiden Hall
Hall’s visit shifted the recruitment landscape, with FSU pulling even or slightly ahead of Florida. Strong connections with Evan Cooper and Tony White were instrumental in this progress.

🌟 Four-Star DBs Lasiah Jackson & Samari Matthews

• Lasiah Jackson: FSU made a lasting impression with a personal, genuine recruiting approach. Jackson views FSU as the frontrunner after this weekend.

• Samari Matthews: Matthews’ high regard for Patrick Surtain and Tony White’s defensive schemes keeps FSU in a strong position, alongside Tennessee, North Carolina, and South Carolina.

👉 Read the full breakdown and intel on FSU’s recruiting here.

And that’s a wrap!

Another thrilling edition packed with record-breaking performances, recruiting wins, and insights into FSU's bright future. From the court to the field, the Seminoles are setting the bar high. Stay tuned for more updates, analysis, and inside scoops in the next Chief Brief!