The Gators have struggled for the 3-point through two games, while the incoming Seminoles are coming to town with a bombs-away style under new coach Luke Loucks that has seen them attempt 77 from distance in their first two games.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Three years ago, the Florida Gators entered their annual rivalry matchup at Tallahassee against Florida State as a shaken group. Not physically injured, but their confidence had taken a hit after suffering a home loss to Florida Atlantic just four nights earlier—a setback that marked the program’s first defeat to an in-state team from a non-power conference since 2010.
That road trip set up a clash with the Seminoles, who had won seven of the previous eight meetings. Veteran FSU coach Leonard Hamilton, with four decades of head-coaching experience, faced off against Todd Golden, then in his first season and only his fourth game leading UF.
Florida State came out blazing, building a 19-point first-half lead, but the Gators responded with the second-largest road comeback in program history. Center Colin Castleton poured in 29 points to fuel a 76-67 victory, highlighted by a massive 37-5 run spanning both halves that secured UF’s second straight win in the series.
That story sets the stage for this one.
Just as Florida couldn’t have foreseen how strong that FAU team would become (the Owls reached the Final Four five months later), neither Hamilton nor his Seminoles—nor anyone in college basketball—could have predicted the trajectory the Gators would take under Golden.
It’s a reminder for the 10th-ranked Gators (1-1) as they prepare for Tuesday night’s 2025 edition of the rivalry against the Seminoles (2-0) in what promises to be a charged atmosphere at Exactech Arena/O'Connell Center. Florida State, like UF three years ago, is under new leadership. Former walk-on standout Luke Loucks, now 35, has taken over his alma mater and implemented a fast-paced style built on pressing, trapping, and heavy 3-point shooting—far different from the physical, defense-first approach Hamilton employed for 23 seasons.
The Seminoles aim to play at breakneck speed, forcing turnovers and firing off shots within the first eight seconds of the shot clock, ideally layups or 3-pointers. They averaged 104.5 points in their first two games, both home wins over Alcorn State and Alabama A&M, and set an Atlantic Coast Conference record with 47 3-point attempts in their most recent outing.
For the new-look Seminoles, leaving Gainesville with a win over the reigning national champions would send a powerful message.
[Read senior writer Chris Harry's "Pregame Stuff" setup here]
"They're playing in transition a lot. They're shooting a lot of 3s. The goal is to get a lot of attempts up. They don't settle for any mid-range jumpers and they're trying to get pressure on the rim," Golden said of FSU, noting the NBA-style system Loucks brought after seven seasons as an assistant with Golden State and Sacramento. "They're switching defenses quite a bit and just trying to keep teams on their toes, create a little bit of chaos, create some turnovers that'll give them transition. But I think, first of all, they're really good. I think they did a good job of putting this roster together."
Fired-up Todd Golden celebrates with his players after winning his first meeting against rival Florida State in 2022 at Tallahassee.
That roster—and the style of play—is almost unrecognizable compared to last season. The top six players in Florida State’s rotation are all transfers, highlighted by guards Robert McCray V (Jacksonville) and Lajae Jones (St. Bonaventure), along with 6-foot-10, 225-pound forward Chauncey Wiggins (Clemson). Together, they account for an average of 142 of the team’s 200 minutes per game.
Of course, two matchups against overmatched low-major opponents provide only a limited sample size. Still, FSU’s reliance on the 3-point shot is clear, with 53.5% of its attempts coming from beyond the arc. The Seminoles have converted at a 40.3% clip, ranking 55th nationally—a figure worth noting, even with the small sample.
Meanwhile, UF, which also thrives on pace, is ranked No. 8 in defensive efficiency and has held opponents to just 27.3% shooting from deep. That defensive strength against FSU’s frenetic, full-court attack sets the stage for an entertaining first meeting between these two coaches.
If the Seminoles connect on a dozen or more 3-pointers, however, it could make for a tense evening inside Exactech Arena/O'Connell Center.
New FSU coach Luke Loucks (center) was an NBA assistant the last eight seasons.
"You got to do what you can to try and not allow them to be catch-and-shoot [3s] and be comfortable shots within their offense where they know they're coming, and I think that's going to be the big challenge," Golden said. "They're going to get some up. We got to make sure they're difficult. We got to make sure they're off the dribble. We got to make sure they're not the ones that they're really hunting. And if we do that, we'll give ourselves a better chance to win."
The 3-point storyline actually goes two ways, considering the Gators are struggling from the arc at just 22%, which rates 318th in the country, with no starters above 30%. The new, transfer backcourt tandem of Xaivian Lee and Boogie Fland has combined to go 5-for-24 (20.8%), with Fland 0-for-5. Even sharp-shooting backup Urban Klavzar is at 20%.
UF went just 7-for-27 in its season-opening loss against No. 13 Arizona and Las Vegas, then Thursday clanged to a six of 32 performance against North Florida, but still won by 40.
"It's just two games," said junior wing Thomas Haugh, who at 30% leads the team from distance. "Our [closed] scrimmages we shot it the ball well. We shoot the ball really well in practice. I think [it might be] a little bit of nerves, just being excited. I think this team is going to calm down. We're a good 3-point-shooting team. We didn't shoot it [vs. UNF], but I'm confident."
Email senior writer Chris Harry at chrish@gators.ufl.edu. Find his story archives here.
