The Florida State Seminoles men’s basketball team is set to return to the court on Saturday, December 13th, at noon for a matchup against the UMass Minutemen. This game will take place at the Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida, as part of the AutoNation Orange Bowl Classic. Fans can catch the action on the ACC Network, and live updates will be provided by Noles247, covering starting lineups, player availability, statistics, and real-time commentary.
The Seminoles enter the game with a record of 5-4, having suffered three consecutive losses, including a recent defeat to the Top-10 Houston team, which ended in an 82-67 scoreline at the Houston Hoops Classic. The team has struggled away from home thus far this season, holding a record of 0-3 in away games and 0-2 in neutral-site contests. This season marks the first under head coach Luke Loucks, who is seeking to turn the program around after a challenging start.
In their upcoming game, the Seminoles will don their turquoise uniforms, a nod to tradition that they have employed on 34 occasions since first introducing them in 2013. These uniforms were last worn during a game against Georgia Southern on November 21, 2025. Against UMass, this will be the third instance the Seminoles sport their Heritage uniforms, a style they have become known for during significant matchups.
The UMass Minutemen, on the other hand, are currently in a favorable position with a record of 7-3 and riding a four-game winning streak. They recently edged out Boston College with a close 76-74 victory in the Hall of Fame Classic. The Minutemen hold an even record of 2-2 in neutral-site games, similar to their overall performance in non-home games this season. Under head coach Frank Martin, who is in his fourth season with the program, UMass has experienced a solid track record, with Martin holding a cumulative 342-251 record over 19 seasons as a collegiate head coach.
This meeting marks the 15th time that Florida State has competed in the Orange Bowl Classic, boasting a commendable past performance of 10 wins against 4 losses in previous appearances. Last year, FSU triumphed against Tulane, and the team’s history with UMass includes a record of 5-4 in their all-time series. The two programs first clashed in 1992, with their most recent encounter occurring last season, when Florida State decisively defeated UMass 92-59 during the final game of the 2024 Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Tip-Off Classic.
As the Seminoles look to break their losing streak and capitalize on their historical advantage against UMass, fans and players alike will be eager to see how this matchup unfolds in the vibrant atmosphere of the Orange Bowl Classic.
