Key Highlights
- Florida State faces No. 6 Duke in a highly anticipated Atlantic Coast Conference matchup.
- Bill Raftery makes his Florida State broadcasting debut for the game against Duke.
- The Seminoles enter with a record of 7-7, including 0-1 in ACC play after losing to No. 12 North Carolina.
- Duke is off to an impressive start at 12-1 and 1-0 in league play following a win over Georgia Tech.
Live Updates: FSU vs. No. 6 Duke – Starters
Florida State (FSU) is set to host No. 6 Duke on Saturday afternoon, with the game scheduled to begin at 3:45 p.m., broadcast live on CBS. Hall of Fame broadcaster Bill Raftery will make his Florida State broadcasting debut, teaming up with Brad Nessler to call the game for CBS.
Raftery’s connection to the Seminoles extends beyond this game; as head coach at Seton Hall, he coached against FSU in an 80-61 victory on February 3, 1973. This matchup is a high-stakes encounter with significant implications for both teams’ seasons.
Team Lineups and Standings
Florida State enters the game with a 7-7 record overall and a 0-1 mark in ACC play after their recent loss to No. 12 North Carolina. The Seminoles have a strong home record, boasting an impressive 7-1 win-loss ratio at home this season.
On the other hand, Duke is off to a remarkable start with a 12-1 overall record and holds a perfect 1-0 mark in ACC play following their victory over Georgia Tech. Their only loss of the season came against then No. 19 Texas Tech on December 20th, in a close 82-81 game at Madison Square Garden.
The series between these teams has a rich history with Duke holding a significant advantage, boasting a 44-11 record over Florida State, including an impressive 18-7 mark in Tallahassee. The last meeting was a decisive win for the Blue Devils by 35 points in March of 2025.
Starting Lineups and Key Players
The projected starting lineup for FSU features Chauncey Wiggins, Alex Steen, Martin Somerville, Robert McCray V, and Lajae Jones. These players bring a wealth of experience to the court, with notable individual performances, including Wiggins’ first career ACC double-double against North Carolina.
For Duke, the lineup includes Cameron Boozer, Patrick Ngongba II, Caleb Foster, Isaiah Evans, and Nikolas Khamenia. Each player brings key contributions, such as Boozer’s 35-point performance against Indiana State and Evans’ impressive 23 points in a win over Texas.
Key reserves for FSU include Kobe MaGee, Alier Maluk, Thomas Bassong, Cam Miles, Shah Muhammad, and AJ Swinton. These players provide depth to the bench, contributing valuable minutes and energy to the game when needed.
Game Officials and Upcoming Schedule
The officiating team for this game includes Referee A.J. Desai and Umpires Justin Porterfield and Greg Evans, ensuring a fair and competitive environment on Saturday afternoon.
Following their encounter with Duke, Florida State will host NC State on January 10th at noon, marking another important ACC showdown in the team’s schedule.
This article provides an in-depth look at the upcoming basketball game between Florida State and No. 6 Duke, covering key players, lineups, historical context, and upcoming schedules for both teams.