Yesterday’s Poll Results

Today’s Poll

🏹 Welcome to The Chief Brief! 🏹

Happy Saturday, Seminole!

March is bringing the heat for Florida State athletics, with postseason battles, dominant performances, and a major coaching transition in the works. Here’s what’s happening across the board:

🥎 No. 9 FSU Softball split the first day of the Jane Sanders Classic, delivering an 8-0 run-rule win over Oregon State before falling to No. 12 Oregon in a pitchers’ duel.

⚾ No. 6 FSU Baseball remains undefeated at 14-0, crushing Lipscomb 10-1 behind a dominant start from Joey Volini and a grand slam from Cal Fisher.

🏐 No. 7 FSU Beach Volleyball went 1-1 at the TCU Invitational, sweeping No. 13 Texas before falling in a hard-fought match against No. 4 TCU.

🏀 No. 22 FSU Women’s Basketball came up just short against No. 14 North Carolina in the ACC Quarterfinals, now awaiting NCAA Tournament selection.

🎾 FSU Men’s Tennis battled in a 4-3 loss at California, with Corey Craig taking down the No. 6 player in the country for his highest-ranked career win.

🏀 FSU Basketball Coaching Search is nearing its conclusion, with former Seminole Luke Loucks emerging as the expected hire—negotiations are underway.

🏀 FSU Men’s Basketball prepares to honor Leonard Hamilton in his final regular season game on Saturday, facing SMU in a Senior Day showdown.

🔥 FSU Football Recruiting kicks into gear with a key Junior Day event, hosting top talent across multiple classes, including 4⭐ WR Justin Williams and 4⭐ DL Nolan Wilson.

Let’s dive into all the action! ⬇️

🥎 No. 9 FSU Softball Splits Day One at Jane Sanders Classic

Florida State (19-4) kicked off the Jane Sanders Classic with a dominant 8-0 run-rule victory over Oregon State before falling in a 2-0 pitchers’ duel to No. 12 Oregon.

🔥 Game 1: FSU 8, Oregon State 0 (5 Inn.)

The Seminoles wasted no time, racking up eight runs in four innings before freshman Jazzy Francik shut the door on the Beavers with a complete-game shutout.

🏆 Key Performers:

• 💣 Hallie Wacaser – 2-for-3, HR, 3 RBI

• 🚀 Kennedy Harp – Nation-leading 8th triple, 2-for-2, RBI, 2 R

• 🎯 Jazzy Francik – W (5.0 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 6 K) – First Nole with a complete game this season

FSU’s offense struck early and often, highlighted by Wacaser’s no-doubt homer and Harp’s RBI triple. Francik was locked in from the start, retiring 10 straight batters at one point.

⚔️ Game 2: FSU 0, No. 12 Oregon 2

The Seminoles’ bats were silenced in the nightcap as Oregon used a two-run homer in the second inning to secure the win.

⚡ Notable Performances:

• 🎯 Annabelle Widra – 3.1 IP, 2 ER, 2 K

• 🔒 Ashtyn Danley – 2.2 IP, 0 H, 3 K (shut down Oregon in relief)

FSU managed just one hit in the game but kept Oregon’s offense in check outside of the home run.

📅 What’s Next?
The Seminoles will face Oregon State again today at 4 PM ET (BTN+), looking to bounce back and close out the tournament strong.

🔗 More on FSU Softball’s weekend here.

⚾ No. 6 FSU Baseball Stays Unbeaten, Crushes Lipscomb 10-1

Florida State (14-0) remained one of just four undefeated teams in the nation, rolling past Lipscomb behind a dominant pitching performance from Joey Volini and a grand slam from Cal Fisher.

🔥 Key Performers:

• 🎯 Joey Volini (W, 4-0) – 7.0 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 11 K (career high, back-to-back games)

• 💥 Cal Fisher – 3-for-5, 2 2B, Grand Slam, 4 RBI

• 🚀 Max Williams – 2-for-5, HR, 2 R

• ⚡ Gage Harrelson – 2-for-4, 2 R

• 🔥 Myles Bailey – 2-for-4

Volini was electric on the mound, fanning 11 batters and striking out the side in the seventh inning on just 10 pitches. Fisher broke open a 4-1 game with a sixth-inning grand slam, giving FSU an 8-1 lead.

What’s Next?
📅 Game 2 vs. Lipscomb → Saturday, 12:00 PM ET

🔗 More on FSU Baseball’s dominant win here.

🏐 No. 7 FSU Beach Volleyball Splits Day 1 at TCU Invitational

Florida State went 1-1 on Friday in Fort Worth, sweeping No. 13 Texas before falling to No. 4 TCU in a hard-fought battle.

🔥 Match 1: FSU 5, No. 13 Texas 0

✅ First-ever meeting between FSU & Texas → Dominant sweep!

🏆 Key Wins:

• Bailey Higgins & Carra Sassack (Court 4) – Won in straight sets

• Makenna Wolfe & Kenzie Hultquist (Court 5) – Won in three sets

• Alexis Durish & Audrey Koenig (Court 3) – Won 18-21, 21-18, 15-12

• McKenna Flaherty & Myriah Massey (Court 1) – Secured the fourth point

• Gella Andrew & Maddie Trusty (Court 2) – Sealed the sweep

⚔️ Match 2: No. 4 TCU 5, FSU 0

The Seminoles battled but fell short against the Horned Frogs, pushing two matches to a third set.

🔥 Closest Battles:

• Andrew & Trusty (Court 2) – Took TCU to three sets before falling

• Flaherty & Massey (Court 4) – Forced a third set

📅 What’s Next?
🏐 Saturday, March 9
🆚 No. 12 FAU → 9:00 AM ET
🆚 Boise State → 3:00 PM ET

🔗 More on FSU Beach Volleyball’s weekend here.

🏀 FSU Falls to UNC in ACC Quarterfinals, Awaits NCAA Selection

No. 22 Florida State came up just short against No. 14 North Carolina, falling 60-56 in a tightly contested ACC Tournament quarterfinal matchup.

🔥 Key Performers:

• Makayla Timpson (15 PTS, 8 REB, 8 BLK) – Tied the ACC Tournament block record & career high

• Ta'Niya Latson (13 PTS, 5 AST, 3 REB) – Came up clutch in the final minutes

• O’Mariah Gordon (12 PTS) – Key contributor in FSU’s second-quarter comeback

⚔️ Game Recap:

• 1st Quarter: FSU started strong but trailed 22-12 after a late UNC surge.

• 2nd Quarter: The Noles erased a 10-point deficit with a 19-5 run to take a 31-27 halftime lead.

• 3rd Quarter: A back-and-forth battle saw UNC edge ahead 46-42.

• 4th Quarter: Timpson and Latson tied the game late, but UNC closed on a 6-2 run to seal the win.

📅 What’s Next?
Florida State now awaits its NCAA Tournament fate. Selection Sunday takes place on March 16.

🔗 More on FSU’s ACC Tournament battle here.

🎾 FSU Men’s Tennis Falls in Hard-Fought Battle at California, 4-3

Florida State men’s tennis came up just short in a down-to-the-wire 4-3 loss at California on Friday night in its first ACC road match of the season.

🔥 Key Performers:

• Corey Craig – Defeated the No. 6 player in the nation for his highest-ranked career win.

• Jamie Connel – Pulled off a comeback to earn his fourth top-50 victory of the season.

• Erik Schiessl – Won in straight-set tiebreakers, securing his third consecutive singles win.

⚔️ Match Recap:

• Doubles:

  • Alex Bulte & Youcef Rihane fought off 9 match points before Cal secured the doubles point.

• Singles:

  • Schiessl & Craig delivered big wins to keep FSU in the match.

  • Connel’s thrilling comeback tied it at 3-3, but Cal clinched the match seconds later on Court 6.

📅 What’s Next?
FSU wraps up the road trip against No. 9 Stanford on Sunday afternoon.

🔗 More on FSU Tennis’ battle at Cal here.

🏀 Luke Loucks Emerging as Expected Successor to Leonard Hamilton

Former Seminole and current Sacramento Kings assistant Luke Loucks is in contract negotiations to become Florida State’s next head basketball coach, according to multiple reports.

🔺 What We Know:

• Loucks has been a leading candidate since the start of the search.

• ESPN’s Andrea Adelson & CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein report that negotiations are ongoing but expect Loucks to be named head coach.

• An official announcement isn’t expected until after FSU’s season finale against SMU on Saturday, when Leonard Hamilton will be honored for his legendary tenure.

🏀 Loucks’ Seminole Roots & Coaching Journey:

• Played for FSU (2008-2012), winning the 2012 ACC Championship.

• Earned both undergraduate & master’s degrees from FSU.

• Transitioned into NBA coaching, working with the Warriors (2016-21), Suns (2021-22), and Kings (2022-present).

• Currently Sacramento’s defensive coordinator after rising through the coaching ranks.

📅 What’s Next?
Stay tuned for FSU’s official announcement following Saturday’s season finale.

🔗 More on Loucks’ coaching path here.

🏀 FSU Set to Honor Leonard Hamilton in Regular Season Finale vs. SMU

Florida State closes out the regular season on Saturday at 4 PM ET against SMU at the Tucker Center. The game will be broadcast on ESPNU and streamed on the Seminole Sports Network.

🔺 Senior Day & Hamilton’s Farewell

• FSU will honor four seniors: Bostyn Holt, Jesse Jones, Jason Simpson, and Jamir Watkins.

• Leonard Hamilton coaches his final regular season game, wrapping up 23 seasons as the Seminoles’ head coach.

• Hamilton, FSU’s all-time wins leader (437 career victories), is one win away from becoming just the fourth coach in ACC history to reach 200 regular-season conference wins.

🏀 Game Preview:

• FSU (16-14, 7-12 ACC) looks to finish strong at home (10-5 record).

• SMU (22-8, 13-6 AAC) is fighting for an NCAA Tournament berth (“Next Four Out” per ESPN Bracketology).

• Head-to-Head: Series tied 1-1; last meeting: SMU won 68-57 (2023).

📺 Watch: ESPNU
🎧 Listen: Seminole Sports Network

🔗 More on Hamilton’s legendary career here.

🔥 FSU Hosting Key Recruits for Junior Day on Saturday

With the March recruiting window now open, Florida State will host a Junior Day on Saturday, March 8. This event gives the Seminoles a chance to strengthen relationships with top prospects across multiple classes.

🔑 Key Expected Visitors

💪 2025 Prospects:

• QB: Gavin Markey

• WR: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Justin Williams, ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Christian Ward

• OL: ⭐⭐⭐ Mitchell Smith, ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Jared Smith, Vern Faulk

• DL: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Nolan Wilson, ⭐⭐⭐ Carter Luckie, ⭐⭐⭐ Cameron Brickle

• LB: ⭐⭐⭐ Tony Williams

• ATH: Eliyjah Caldwell-Hardy, Omari Scott, Arthur Lewis IV

🌟 Top 2027 & 2028 Prospects

• WR: Alabama commit ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Alexander Ward, Landon Wolny, Quentin Lewis, Gionni Lewis (2028)

• OL: Fisher Brinegar, Jatori Williams

• LB: Gregory Batson

• DB: Mekhi Williams

• ATH: Tyler Walker, Tae Walden Jr.

FSU’s staff will look to build momentum with high-profile targets and underclassmen as spring recruiting heats up.

🔗 More updates on FSU’s recruiting weekend here.

And that’s a wrap!

From dominant performances on the diamond to postseason battles on the court, it’s been a weekend full of action for the Seminoles. With FSU Baseball still undefeated, FSU Softball battling in Oregon, and a new era of Seminole basketball on the horizon, the stakes only continue to rise.

🏆 What’s next? FSU Women’s Basketball awaits its NCAA Tournament fate, FSU Men’s Basketball prepares for Leonard Hamilton’s farewell, and spring football recruiting heats up.

Stay locked in, because March is just getting started!

🔜 Next Edition: More postseason updates, recruiting news, and FSU coaching developments coming soon.

🔗 Until next time, stay in the know with The Chief Brief!