Welcome to The Chief Brief!

Just like yesterday, we’ve got another basketball game in 3 hours! We’re facing the number 1 seed UNC so we need some of that March magic.

There’s also a good bit of recruiting outlook to round out this edition.

Here’s the docket:

🏀 Watkins' Historic Night Propels Noles Past Hokies

• Witness a record-breaking performance by Jamir Watkins, scoring an FSU and ACC Tournament record 34 points, catapulting the Seminoles past Virginia Tech and setting the stage for a quarterfinal clash with North Carolina.

🎾 Seminoles Tennis Takes on ACC Rivals at Home

• Get ready for an exciting homestand as the FSU Men's Tennis team, ranked No. 13, prepares to face North Carolina and No. 17 Duke at the Scott Speicher Memorial Tennis Center, looking to extend their remarkable winning streak.

🥎 Seminoles Stumble Against Crimson Tide

• Despite a valiant effort, the No. 18 Florida State softball team faced a setback against the No. 15 Alabama Crimson Tide. Dive into the key moments of the game and the Seminoles' determination to bounce back in their upcoming match against No. 4 Duke.

🏈 LB Dawson Merritt Lists FSU in Top 10

• Discover the excitement as four-star linebacker Dawson Merritt includes FSU in his top 10 schools, indicating a highly anticipated recruitment journey filled with official visits and a strong desire for development on and off the field.

🏈 Quincy Porter: A Wide Receiver Worth Watching

• Meet Quincy Porter, a highly touted four-star wide receiver from New Jersey, as he navigates the recruitment process with visits to powerhouses like Oklahoma, Ohio State, and Michigan, sharing his impressions and what he looks for in a potential college home.

🌟 Seminoles Eyeing a Big Ten Flip During Legacy Weekend

• Explore FSU's ambitious attempt to flip Dallas Wilson, a five-star wide receiver committed to Oregon, as he plans to visit Tallahassee for Legacy Weekend, revealing the Seminoles' relentless pursuit and Wilson's strong connections with the coaching staff.

🏀 Watkins' Historic Night Propels Noles Past Hokies

In a riveting ACC Tournament second-round matchup, Jamir Watkins turned in a performance for the ages, scoring a Florida State and ACC Tournament record 34 points to lead the Seminoles to a triumphant 86-76 victory over Virginia Tech at the Capital One Arena.

With this win, FSU advances to face the No. 1 seed and No. 4 ranked North Carolina in the quarterfinals today at noon.

Record-Breaking Performance:

• Watkins' monumental 34 points set a new FSU record for most points in an ACC Tournament game.

• Surpassing the 1,000-point career mark, Watkins showcased his scoring prowess, blending precision from the field with relentless efficiency from the free-throw line.

Double-Double Dominance:

• Not content with just scoring, Watkins matched his career-high with 11 rebounds, marking his second consecutive double-double and the sixth of the season.

Seminoles' Strategic Surge:

• The game was a nail-biter, featuring six ties and eight lead changes. FSU took the lead for good with a Primo Spears jumper, igniting a 27-18 run to close out the contest.

• Florida State excelled from the free-throw line, particularly in the second half, leveraging this advantage to secure the win.

Supporting Cast Shines:

• Jalen Warley and Primo Spears contributed significantly, with Warley scoring 18 points and Spears adding 10, showcasing the depth and versatility of the Seminole squad.

Defensive Disruption:

• FSU's defensive efforts were crucial, outrebounding the Hokies, capitalizing on turnovers, and stifling Virginia Tech's shooting in the second half.

🎾 Seminoles Tennis Takes on ACC Rivals at Home

The No. 13 Florida State Men's Tennis team is set for an action-packed homestand at the Scott Speicher Memorial Tennis Center, facing off against ACC foes North Carolina and No. 17 Duke. This weekend marks a crucial test for the Seminoles as they aim to build on their impressive season record and extend their remarkable 10-match winning streak.

Key Matchups:

• Friday Showdown: FSU challenges North Carolina at 5:30 p.m., a rematch of last season's ACC Tournament quarterfinals where the Seminoles emerged victorious.

• Sunday Clash: The Seminoles compete against Duke at 1 p.m., aiming to capitalize on their home advantage and continue their winning ways.

Season Highlights:

• FSU boasts a stellar 13-2 record, with a perfect 4-0 at home, kickstarting ACC play with a 3-0 record—all road victories.

• The team's current 10-match winning streak is underscored by significant wins over ranked opponents, including No. 15 Mississippi State and No. 21 Oklahoma.

Standout Performances:

• Jamie Connel dazzled last weekend, winning nearly every game in his singles matches, including a flawless victory over Marist.

• In doubles, Loris Pourroy and Youcef Rihane have clinched nine wins in their last ten matches, demonstrating their formidable partnership.

🥎 Seminoles Stumble Against Crimson Tide

The No. 18 Florida State softball team faced a tough challenge on Wednesday night, clashing with the No. 15 Alabama Crimson Tide at JoAnne Graf Field. Despite a strong defensive effort and a spirited comeback attempt, the Seminoles fell 4-1, moving their season record to 17-6.

Early Alabama Lead:

• The Crimson Tide struck quickly, securing a 2-0 lead in the first inning through a solo homer and an RBI single.

Seminoles' Defensive Stand:

• FSU showcased their defensive prowess in the third inning, skillfully handling a bases-loaded, no-outs situation by forcing three consecutive pop-up outs.

FSU's Scoring Effort:

• The Seminoles made their mark in the fourth inning. Kalei Harding's single and subsequent advancements set the stage for a wild pitch that brought Harding home, narrowing the gap to 2-1.

Impressive Fieldwork:

• Isa Torres, FSU's shortstop, exhibited standout defensive skills in the fifth inning, helping keep Alabama scoreless during that frame.

Alabama's Final Push:

• The Tide extended their lead with a two-run homer in the sixth inning, putting the game further out of reach for the Seminoles.

Pitching Duties:

• Allison Royalty initiated the game on the mound for FSU, followed by Makenna Reid and Ashtyn Danley, who pitched 3.2 and 1.1 innings, respectively.

Looking ahead, Florida State aims to bounce back as they prepare for their next challenge against the No. 4 ranked Duke Blue Devils on Friday at 6PM.

🏈 LB Dawson Merritt Lists FSU in Top 10

Dawson Merritt, a four-star linebacker, has unveiled his top 10 schools, with Florida State making the prestigious list alongside other powerhouse programs. Merritt's selection includes Oklahoma, Nebraska, Ole Miss, Alabama, Missouri, Kansas, Florida State, Texas A&M, USC, and Michigan, showcasing the national attention his recruitment is drawing.

Official Visits and Spring Tours:

• Merritt has scheduled official visits to Missouri on June 7th, Nebraska on June 14th, and Oklahoma on June 21st.

• His spring itinerary is packed with visits to Missouri, Ole Miss, Alabama, Oklahoma, and Nebraska, with Kansas also in the works.

Rankings and Background:

• Merritt stands out as the No. 129 overall recruit in the 2025 class, the 17th ranked linebacker, and the 5th best junior in Kansas, according to 247Sports.

• Adding to his intriguing profile is his lineage; his father, Dave Merritt, serves as the defensive backs coach for the Kansas City Chiefs.

🏈 Quincy Porter: A Wide Receiver Worth Watching

Quincy Porter, a standout four-star wide receiver from Oradell, N.J.'s Bergen Catholic, is rapidly climbing the ranks as one of the premier wideouts in the 2025 cycle. At 6-foot-3 and 190 pounds, Porter has captured the attention of powerhouse programs, with Florida, Florida State, Michigan, Ohio State, and Oklahoma among the top contenders for his commitment.

Recent and Upcoming Visits:

• Porter's recruitment journey recently took him to Oklahoma on March 9, following positive interactions with the coaching staff, including head coach Brent Venables. His experience in Norman met expectations, highlighting the visit's personal touch and campus tour.

• Next on his agenda are visits to Ohio State (April 2-3) and Michigan (April 4-5), marking additional opportunities to engage with the coaching staff and players, particularly at Ohio State.

Florida State and Florida Impressions:

• Earlier visits to Florida State and Florida on January 27 left Porter with positive impressions. Engaging with FSU's head coach Mike Norvell and wide receivers coach Ron Dugans, as well as Florida's wide receivers coach Billy Gonzales, provided insights into the programs' approaches to nurturing wide receiver talent.

Recruitment Philosophy:

• As Porter contemplates his future, he emphasizes the importance of feeling at home and building strong relationships with coaches. The geographical location of the school will play a minor role in his decision-making process.

🌟 Seminoles Eyeing a Big Ten Flip During Legacy Weekend

Florida State is setting the stage for a potential recruiting coup, focusing on Dallas Wilson, a five-star wide receiver currently pledged to Oregon. Despite his commitment to the Ducks, Wilson has kept the communication lines open with several programs, including FSU, hinting at a possible change of heart.

FSU's Persistent Pursuit:

• Wilson has been on FSU's radar since December 2022, with the Seminoles extending an offer that propelled them into the mix for his talents.

• Despite his strong ties to Oregon, Wilson has expressed a fondness for FSU's familial atmosphere and the depth of talent within their receiver room, qualities that he believes foster competitive growth.

Reconnection in Tallahassee:

• Wilson plans to visit FSU for the anticipated Legacy Weekend on March 23, an event that unites former players with top recruiting targets, marking his first trip to Tallahassee in 2024.

• This visit offers Wilson a chance to deepen his connection with wide receivers coach Ron Dugans, whom he speaks with almost daily and describes as a key influence.

Looking Ahead:

• With visits to Tennessee and official trips to Miami and Oregon on his itinerary, Wilson's recruitment journey is far from over. FSU's challenge will be to leverage the upcoming visit to strengthen their case for a flip.

• Ranked as the No. 22 overall prospect and the No. 5 wide receiver nationally, Wilson's addition would be a significant triumph for FSU, emphasizing the Seminoles' relentless recruiting strategy and their ability to attract top-tier talent.

And that’s a wrap!

We hope you enjoyed the ride through Seminole sports, inspiring victories, and the exciting world of recruitment.

Keep cheering, dreaming, and bleeding garnet and gold. Until next time, stay spirited, stay strong, and Go Noles! 🍢🔥