Florida State Routs FAMU 113-69 in Opener
Sebastian Rancik scored a career-high 25 points as Florida State opened its season with a 113-69 win over FAMU.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Basketball
Florida State men's basketball defeated FAMU 113-69 on November 2, 2026, at Benchmark International Arena in Tampa in the season opener. Six Florida State players scored in double figures, and Jaden Kempson Jr. led FAMU with 27 points.
Why it matters
The margin and balanced scoring offer an early look at a Florida State roster that prioritized rebounding and free-throw shooting during the offseason. The game also marks the first time in over 40 years the program has topped 100 points in back-to-back season openers.
Florida State shot 26-of-34 (76%) from the free line and grabbed 47 rebounds, including 15 on the offensive glass, while recording 12 team steals. FAMU's Jaden Kempson Jr. led all scorers with 27 points, and the box score does not yet show how these figures compare with the program's prior openers.
The players
Florida State Seminoles
The Florida State University men's basketball program competes in the Atlantic Coast Conference and plays home games at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center in Tallahassee.
Sebastian Rancik
Rancik is a Florida State guard whose 25-point career-high led the Seminoles in the season-opening win over FAMU.
Jaden Kempson Jr.
Kempson Jr. is a FAMU guard who scored 27 points, the most of any player in the game, in the loss to Florida State.
The details
Florida State built a lopsided lead behind Sebastian Rancik's career-high 25 points and five players who joined him in double figures. The Seminoles also converted 18 second-chance points off their 15 offensive rebounds, as the defense forced turnovers that led to 12 steals.
Timeline
November 2, 2026: Florida State defeats FAMU 113-69 in the season opener at Benchmark International Arena in Tampa.
November 6, 2026: Florida State hosts Troy in its home opener.
Season Trajectory
Florida State's back-to-back 100-plus point openers are the first such streak for the program in over 40 years, signaling an offense that is carrying its scoring pace into the new season. The win sets an early benchmark in a season where the team's rebounding and free-throw efficiency will be tested against tougher competition.
Fantasy managers tracking Rancik should note his 25-point debut in the opener, though the extraction does not indicate his expected minutes going forward. Florida State's 76% free-throw mark and 47-rebound total are the most practical edges for bettors and fantasy players to track in the early schedule.
The takeaway
Florida State's early emphasis on rebounding and free-throw shooting produced an efficient season opener. Watching whether those numbers hold against Troy on November 6 will show whether the approach is sustainable.
What happens next
Florida State hosts Troy in its home opener on November 6, 2026.
Further reading
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