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Yesterday’s Poll Results
Today’s Poll
How do you feel about FSU declining the NIT?
🏹 Welcome to The Chief Brief! 🏹
Happy Mid-March Monday, Seminole!
There was a surprising amount of activity this weekend! We’ve got you covered here:
⚾ 🧹 Noles Complete Sweep of No. 12 Wake Forest 🧹 ⚾
Florida State dominates a top-15 opponent on the road, finishing off a statement sweep behind power hitting and elite pitching to open ACC play.
🥎 🧹 Noles Complete Sweep of Syracuse 🧹 🥎
The Seminoles roll through Syracuse with explosive offense and dominant pitching, highlighted by Isa Torres’ historic hot streak at the plate.
🏀 🌟 Noles Earn All-ACC Tournament Honors 🌟 🏀
Robert McCray V and Lajae Jones shine on the ACC stage, capping a resilient season as FSU declines the NIT and turns the page to the offseason.
🏐 🔥 Beach Volleyball Stays Red-Hot 🔥 🏐
FSU goes undefeated at the FAU Invitational, stacking ranked wins and extending a surging win streak with national contender momentum.
🎾 🔥 Noles Secure First ACC Win 🔥 🎾
Men’s tennis breaks through in conference play with a gritty road win over Georgia Tech, fueled by clutch performances in tight matches.
⛳ 🌤️ Noles Lead at Seminole Intercollegiate 🌤️ ⛳
Florida State takes early control on its home course, positioning itself for another strong finish despite weather disruptions.
⛳ 📉 Tough Day at Old Barnwell 📉 ⛳
The Seminoles drop two match play battles against ranked teams, gaining valuable postseason-style experience despite the results.
🏀 🚫 Noles Decline NIT 🚫 🏀
FSU opts out of postseason play, ending the season on its own terms after a strong late-season surge under Luke Loucks.
🏈 ⚡ Spring Camp Intel Reveals Early Trends ⚡ 🏈
Early practices highlight rising playmakers, a shifting defensive identity, and encouraging signs of chemistry and explosiveness across the roster.
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⚾🧹 Noles Complete Sweep of No. 12 Wake Forest 🧹⚾
Florida State capped off a dominant weekend with a 12–6 win, securing a statement road sweep to open ACC play.
🔥 Power-Fueled Finale
FSU launched 4 home runs Sunday, bringing the series total to 10
Eli Putnam, Brayden Dowd, and Myles Bailey all homered again
John Stuetzer delivered the dagger with a grand slam in the 8th
💪 Complete Team Performance
Bryson Moore: 5.2 IP, 1 ER, 7 K to earn the win (3–0)
Kelvyn Paulino Jr.: 3 hits to lead the offense
FSU scored 12 runs on 11 hits in the finale
📊 Historic Start to ACC Play
First road ACC-opening sweep since 2012
Back-to-back shutouts + sweep of a top-15 team
Now 16–3 overall, 3–0 in ACC play
🚀 Momentum Building
Swept all 4 weekend series to start the season
7 of next 8 games at home
🧠 Why It Matters: Florida State dominated a top-15 opponent in every phase, reinforcing their status as one of the most complete and dangerous teams in the country.
🥎🧹 Noles Complete Sweep of Syracuse in Explosive Fashion 🧹🥎
No. 10 Florida State closed out a dominant opening ACC weekend with an 11–6 win, finishing off the three-game sweep over Syracuse.
🔥 First-Inning Fireworks
Jaysoni Beachum launched a 2-run HR to open scoring
Ashtyn Danley crushed her first career grand slam
FSU jumped out to a 6–0 lead before Syracuse recorded an out
💥 Offensive Consistency
11 runs on 10 hits with no errors
Beachum: 5 RBI (career-high), HR + 3-RBI double
Shelby McKenzie added a solo HR in the 3rd
📊 Torres Stays Unreal
11-for-11 in her last 11 at-bats
Hitting .648 (leads NCAA) with a .705 OBP
Has reached base in 60 of 85 plate appearances
🔒 Bullpen Slams the Door
Bella Dimitrijevic: Career-high 6 K in 3.2 IP
Jazzy Francik: 3.0 scoreless innings to earn the save
Staff held Syracuse to just 3 hits over final 3 innings
🚀 Statement Series
Outscored Syracuse 36–? across the series
Improves to 25–4 (3–0 ACC)
32–4 all-time vs. Syracuse
🧠 Why It Matters: Florida State’s offense is operating at an elite level, and with dominant pitching backing it up, the Noles look like one of the most complete, and dangerous, teams in the country entering ACC play.
🏀🌟 Noles Earn Multiple All-ACC Tournament Honors 🌟🏀
Florida State placed two players on the All-ACC Tournament teams, with Robert McCray V earning First Team honors and Lajae Jones landing on the Second Team.
⭐ McCray Leads the Way
First Team All-ACC Tournament selection
Averaged 27.5 PTS, 6.0 AST, 5.0 REB
Dropped 30 points vs. Cal (career-high)
One of just six players in FSU history to earn First Team honors
🔥 Jones Breaks Out
Second Team All-ACC Tournament selection
Averaged 21.5 PTS, 4.5 REB
Scored 28 points vs. Duke
Shot 50% from three (6-of-12)
📊 Historic Recognition
First FSU players to earn All-ACC Tournament honors since 2021
Fifth time in program history with multiple selections in same year
FSU, Duke, and Virginia were the only teams with multiple honorees
🧠 Why It Matters: Even without a deep tournament run, Florida State showcased elite individual talent, with McCray and Jones emerging as high-impact leaders on the ACC stage.
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🏐🔥 Noles Sweep FAU Invite, Take Down No. 6 TCU 🔥🏐
No. 7 Florida State closed out a dominant weekend in Pompano Beach, going undefeated at the FAU Invitational with wins over Tampa and No. 6 TCU.
⭐ Dominant Start vs. Tampa
Earned sixth dual sweep of the season
Rothman/Duval secured key point on court three (21-19, 21-16)
Henke/Hultquist added another straight-set win on court four
💥 Statement Win vs. No. 6 TCU
Match came down to decisive third set on court two
Andrew/Trusty clinched it with a 15-13 win
Avenged previous 3-2 loss to TCU
📊 Elite Season Momentum
Undefeated weekend, now on six-match win streak
Seventh Top-25 win of the season
Continues to stack ranked victories
🧠 What’s Next
Heads to Baton Rouge for next tournament
Matchups include No. 17 GCU, No. 10 Cal, Boise State, and No. 8 ASU
🧠 Why It Matters: Florida State continues to establish itself as one of the nation’s elite, stacking ranked wins and building serious momentum heading into the heart of the season.
🎾🔥 Noles Earn First ACC Win, Take Down Georgia Tech 🔥🎾
Florida State secured its first conference victory of the season with a strong 4–1 road win over No. 55 Georgia Tech.
⭐ Doubles Point Sets the Tone
Ezerzer/Hornung earned first ACC win together (6-3)
Lyons/Alkotop clinched doubles point with 6-4 victory
Seminoles jumped out to early 1-0 lead
💥 Singles Close It Out
Lyons dominated at court six (6-1, 6-4) to make it 2-0
No. 76 Schiessl battled back for a three-set win (3-6, 6-4, 6-1)
Corey Craig clinched match at No. 1 with gritty three-set victory
📊 Tight Battles Down the Stretch
All remaining matches went to third sets
Georgia Tech picked up lone point at court three
🧠 What’s Next
Road doubleheader vs. Boston College and Holy Cross on Thursday
🧠 Why It Matters: Florida State breaks through for its first ACC win, showing resilience in multiple three-set battles and building momentum heading into the next stretch of conference play.
⛳🌤️ Noles Take Early Lead at Seminole Intercollegiate 🌤️⛳
Florida State opened play at the Seminole Intercollegiate with a strong start, holding the team lead as weather impacts the tournament schedule.
⭐ Fast Start in Round One
FSU leads the field at 4-under overall
Opened with a 1-under 287 in round one
Whaley & Brewer paced the Noles with 2-under 71s
💨 Weather Alters Play
Round two paused after 16 holes due to weather threat
Play resumes Monday afternoon, final round Tuesday
Conditions shifted from calm to windy during second round
📈 Leaderboard Movement
Tyler Weaver surged to 3-under (T-3), including 4-under in round two
Carson Brewer sits T-4 at 2-under after strong start
Edero (+1), Whaley (+2), Bigham (+3) round out lineup
🧠 Why It Matters: Florida State is in position to defend home turf, with multiple players near the top of the leaderboard as they push for another Seminole Intercollegiate title.
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⛳📉 Noles Drop Two Matches at Old Barnwell 📉⛳
No. 18 Florida State struggled on day one of the Old Barnwell Match Play Championship, falling to two ranked opponents in a challenging opening slate.
⭐ Tough Opening Day
Lost 3-0 to No. 11 Duke
Fell 3-1 to No. 22 South Carolina
Faced two top-25 teams in back-to-back match play rounds
📊 Match Play Context
Format mirrors postseason structure used in ACC and NCAA Championships
FSU excelled in this format in 2025 (ACC title + NCAA semifinal run)
Provides critical in-season reps despite results
🔄 What’s Next
Final matchup vs. Alabama on Tuesday
Returns home for Florida State Match Up (March 20–22) at Seminole Legacy
Free admission for fans in lone home event of the season
🧠 Why It Matters: While results didn’t go FSU’s way, early match play reps against elite competition are key preparation for postseason formats where this experience becomes critical.
🏀🚫 Noles Decline NIT, Season Officially Ends 🚫🏀
Florida State has opted out of the NIT, officially closing the book on a resilient first season under head coach Luke Loucks.
⭐ Decision Comes from Players
FSU declined a likely NIT bid despite being in position for selection
Loucks emphasized giving seniors a voice in the decision
Team chose to end the season after ACC Tournament run
📊 Strong Finish to the Year
Finished 18–15 overall, 10–8 in ACC (program record for first-year coach)
Went 10–3 over final 13 games after 0–5 conference start
Nearly upset No. 1 Duke (80–79 loss) in ACC Quarterfinals
🔥 Season Highlights
Set school record with 343 made three-pointers
Forced 13.6 turnovers per game (led ACC)
Robert McCray V: 16.3 PPG, 200 assists, Third-Team All-ACC
🔄 What’s Next
Six seniors depart, including McCray V and Lajae Jones
Transfer portal opens April 7
2026 recruiting class ranked No. 8 nationally (No. 2 in ACC)
🧠 Why It Matters: Florida State’s late-season surge showed real momentum under Loucks, and choosing to end on their terms signals a culture shift as the program turns the page toward a new era.
🏈⚡ Early Spring Intel Reveals Key Risers & Identity Shift ⚡🏈
Florida State’s first padded practice offered a clearer look at early standouts, emerging roles, and a potential shift in identity on both sides of the ball.
⭐ QB Battle Heating Up
Ashton Daniels continues to impress early, with multiple sources calling him “solid” and consistent
Has connected on at least one deep ball in each practice so far
Not pulling away from Kevin Sperry yet, but trending upward after a strong Day 1 in pads
💥 Explosive Run Game Emerging
Ousmane Kromah, Gemari Sands, and Sam Singleton all broke off long runs
Early signs point to more big-play potential on the ground
💪 O-Line Anchor to Watch
Transfer Chimdia Nwaiwu described as a “people mover”
If he earns a starting role, it could shift Nate Pabst inside to guard
🔥 Freshman Playmakers Flashing
Devin Carter drawing consistent praise: “can run, smooth, strong ball skills”
EJ White showing promising traits
Darryon Williams facing a steeper early transition
⚡ Defensive Identity Shift
Smaller defensive line compared to last year, but noticeably quicker and more disruptive
Desir twins (Mandrell & Darryll), Daniel Lyons, and Deante McCray expected to anchor production
🧠 Veteran Presence & Chemistry
Staff believes defense has improved maturity and chemistry
Additions like Ma’Khi Jones and Chris Jones bringing leadership and toughness
🔒 Secondary Standout
Quindarrius Jones earning strong reviews while returning from injury
“Q has looked the best he’s been” as confidence builds
📣 Practice Energy Turning Heads
Recruits consistently noted high tempo and intensity
OL Andre’ Otto specifically stood out for energy and effort
🧠 Why It Matters: Early signs point to a faster, more explosive Florida State team with improved chemistry and emerging young talent, key ingredients as the program looks to reset its identity in 2026.
And that’s a wrap!
Big-time weekends are starting to feel routine in Tallahassee.
From statement sweeps to national titles to momentum building across multiple programs, the standard is rising and quickly.
Now the question becomes: who keeps it going?
We’ll be tracking it all.
Talk soon,
The Chief 🏹
