Don’t worry about those silly humans and their polls - they’ll figure out we’re really good soon enough too…

College Baseball RPI Rankings

Audio version of a 25-minute FSU baseball discussion with Nick Carlisle, Curt Weiler and I.

We'll have the video version later today on our YouTube channel, too:

New recruiting rumor mill from Rivals' Adam Gorney features the latest on nearly two dozen top prospects, including a few considering FSU:

Four-star point guard Daquan Davis is nearing a decision, with FSU a "slight" leader. More from Rivals' Rob Cassidy in his recruiting rumor mill:

counted us out because JT went down. All of them said we didn’t have the playmakers with to compete! Snubbers 📺 🤬them Noles show out.

Does anyone here get into this? My daughter and I like to do this frequently. Great way to get outside and get some exercise….

No. 18 FSU (17-5) will host No. 15 Alabama (20-3) on Wednesday at 7 p.m. on the ACC Network.

RHP Allison Royalty will be on the mound. I'll have some updates from the park (although running late for first pitch), but thought we could use this thread to chat about the top-20 matchup.

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FSU baseball's offense sure traveled well in a convincing 12-8 win at No. 8 Florida tonight. The Noles are 15-0 for the first time since 2015 after mashing 13 hits in the win.

Anyone heard what the prices are
And how to get them?

No. 9 seed FSU (16-15, 10-10 ACC) seeks to make a run in the ACC Tournament in Washington, D.C., beginning Wednesday against No. 8 seed Virginia Tech (18-13, 10-10). The game will be on ESPN at noon with Dan Shulman, Jay Bilas and Jess Sims.

VT won three straight games to finish the regular season.

FSU won the 2012 ACC Tournament and 2020 ACC regular season title, while being awarded by default the 2020 ACC Tournament title (halted due to COVID).

The Seminoles and Hokies split two regular-season matchups. FSU won 77-74 in Tallahassee on Jan. 6 and lost on Feb. 13 on the road 83-75.

The big storyline will be FSU's ability to defend the 3 as well as VT's propensity to take and make 3s. In their January matchup, VT made 11 of 23 shots from beyond the arc. Most of the damage was done by Hunter Cattoor (5 of 6) and Sean Pedulla (3 of 6). And, yes, in the second game VT was also 11 of 23 with Cattoor being 4 of 6 from deep, Pedulla going 1 of 3 and Tyler Nickel was 3 of 4.

Jamir Watkins was named All-ACC honorable mention in voting by panelists around the ACC (three per school). The junior forward averaged 15.1 points and 5.9 rebounds per game. He now has 990 career points (468 at FSU).

Cam Corhen has scored in double figures consistently down the stretch. He's been an efficient shooter - 63.7 percent from the floor. That's good for fifth in a single season. He's fractionally out of third place for a single season - Murray Brown (1980) and Harry Davis (1976) both shot 63.8. This is good company for Corhen as Bernard James (2011) was second all-time at 65.7 in 2010-11.

FSU leads the ACC with 285 steals. If the Seminoles get to 300 it would occur for just the second time in a season.

We'll have updates in the thread below.

FSU 86 VT 76 The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly


The Good

With the win, FSU improves its record in the 2024 ACC tournament to 1-0. It ends a three game winning streak by Virginia Tech. Coming into the game, Florida State was 11-1 this season when scoring 80 or more points. Make that 12-1. It also guarantees the Seminoles with a winning record.

After leading 50-42, it looked like the Seminoles were losing momentum as a gritty VT team was able to tie the game at 57. But FSU began getting stops and turned defense turned into fast break points to lead 80-71 with 1:19 left. And then it looked like the 'Noles were going to melt down with two disastrous turnovers allowing the Hokies to close the gap to 80-75 with enough time on the clock (46 seconds) to pull off the comeback. But VT was forced to foul and the Seminoles were stellar from the charity stripe to hold off Tech.

The obvious MVP of the game: Without question, Jamir Watkins. With his career high 34 points, he joined the 1,000 point club easily with a total now of 1,024, Not verified as of this moment, but it was a record number of points for any Florida State player in the ACC tournament. It was Watkins 18th straight game in double figures, 27th overall, his 5th game with 20 or more points in the 2023-2024 season, and his first career 30 plus point game. And to top it off, he made it a double double with 11 rebounds.

Defense into offense. As we all know, FSU is very good at forcing turnovers and capitalizing on their opponent's mistakes. Against the Hokies, the Seminoles were quite good at it today turning 13 VT miscues into 25 points. It helped contribute to 63% shooting from the floor (sans the three point shooting of course).

Another other factor in the win for FSU, FT shooting. Virginia Tech is the 6th best FT shooting team in the country at 79%. But it was FSU that blistered the net from the stripe converting 25 of 30 attempts. That's 83% for those of you keeping score at home. More importantly in crunch time, the 'Noles were a perfect 16-16 from the 2:49 mark. Each and every one of them was important to convert as Tech pushed the ball hard at the basket and were not too shabby from the line either (24-30). Even Baba Miller who has struggled all season from the line converted two to give FSU a three possession lead, 82-75.

Good job guys on the boards outrebounding the Hokies 34-26. The Seminoles don't do that everyday. Today they did.

Honorable mention to Jalen Warley who apparently is now tied for first in the assist to turnover ratio in the ACC. Warley today had 4 assists to just 2 turnovers (one of the very sloppy variety unfortunately).

Interestingly Leonard Hamilton shorted his bench playing just eight today (OK, Chandler Jackson played 6 minutes but was a non factor). But each one contributed with Warley and Primo Spears in double figures, 18 and 10 respectively.

Notable plays in the game: Watkins with the steal and on the break pulls up for the three from the right wing, 7-5. Watkins with another steal in the lane going coast to coast hard at the rim for the lay up, 19-15 VT. A well executed last play before halftime using Darin Green as a decoy allowing Warley to drive the ball in to pull within one, 37-36. Camren Corhen working hard for the offensive rebound and then forcing his way up for the lay in, 42-42. Warley's spinning lay up, 57-54. Sean Padulla's errant pass into the VT backcourt retrieved by Spears who took it the rest of the way, 63-58 and 5:01 to play. Watkins offensive board and the two hand jam immediately followed by Watkins and yet another steal, the outlet pass to Spears finished off by a Warley lay up all part of an 11-0 FSU run, 68-58 and 3:26 to play. Spears trapped at the time line smartly calling time out rather than risk the turnover. Miller getting real lucky that a foul was not called when he kicked the ball to the ref to set the inbound play. He was only warned for a delay of game.

Can't ignore the pass from Mylyjael Poteat to his teammate .... Mike Young, his head coach, sitting on the sideline watching the play develop. I don't think it developed very well. That's a good thing.

On a side note, TV cameras caught Hunter Cattour's fiancee at the game. Not bad Hunter. Not bad Apparently she played for the VT women's t team. Looks like that will be a tall wedding.


The Bad

After the first half that saw just 7 fouls and only 4 FTs taken, the refs apparently remembered in the second period how their whistles worked. Yeah, there were a number of intentional fouls at the end, but for a while there it seemed like it was every other play.

The FSU defense not able to stop the VT offense. In the first half, VT shot 11 of 15. With 10:37 left in the period, Hamilton had to call a timeout to remind his team that defense was not optional.

Warley called for the flagrant one after grabbing the VT player's arm apparently trying to make amends for a Jaylen Gainey turnover. Jalen, the guy was already past you. Let it go. That could have turned out to be a five point turnaround for VT. Fortunately it was just three.

Give VT credit for being very good at the head fake, getting the defender in the air, and leaning in to draw the foul. FSU fell for it seemingly every time.

I counted three charges called on FSU. And here I thought with the new rule regarding charges, they would be rare.

How would it not be a game without our usual at least one goaltending call.


The Ugly

Here's a recurring theme. 3-13 from the arc. Doing the math, that's 23%. Oh let's make it an exact number. 23.1%. Yeah, that makes it look better.

Warley stepping OB on a drive along the left baseline. How many times are we going to see a player not recognize where he is on the floor? Apparently at least one more time as Miller stepped on the end line trying to inbound the ball. With just 2:52 left, not the time you want to make that kind of mistake.

Really?? You want Taylor Bol Bowen taking that three from the right corner? Really? With the two he missed today, the guy is 6 of 32 (18.75%).

Warley trapped in the corner after receiving the inbound pass and inexplicably throwing it up for grabs. It was of course easily picked off and the ensuing two points. No idea whatsoever what he was thinking. None. Just SMH on that one.

And if that was not bad enough, the baseball pass to Watkins that was off his finger tips along the sideline in front of the Seminole bench. Two more points ensured and VT now trailed by just five, 80-75.

Honorable mention to the clock problem that occurred immediately after tip off. What a way to get a game started.


Up Next:

Its a rematch with North Carolina, the #1 seed in the ACCT. Tip is again at noon and aired on ESPN. As you may recall, earlier this season FSU held a double digit lead at around the 14 minute mark of the second half. It all went down hill from that point and Florida State ended up losing 78-70.

Planning to visit FSU soon:

The No. 18 Florida State softball team (17-5) dominated South Dakota State (13-16) in a doubleheader on Tuesday afternoon at the Seminole Softball Complex. The Seminoles defeated the Jackrabbits 11-6 in game one and cruised to an 8-0 win in six innings in game two.

Game One
Amaya Ross's first career grand slam and an 8-run fifth inning propelled the Seminoles to an 11-6 win in game one.

FSU got the on the board first as the first four batters were walked to bring a run across for the Noles. Isa Torres then hit a single through the left side to bring home JaysoniBeachum and Kalei Harding to take a 3-0 lead after the first inning.

The Jackrabbits responded with two runs in the third and took a 5-3 lead off three unearned runs in the bottom of the fifth.

The lead didn't last long as Torres came through again with the bases loaded to bring home Annie Potter to cut the lead to one. Ross stepped in with the bases juiced and hit a rocket over the left field wall for her first career grand slam to put the Noles up 8-5. The scoring barrage continued as Kaley Mudge earned a RBI single, and Beachum singled down the right field line to give the Noles an 11-5 lead.

Makenna Reid came in to relieve Mimi Gooden and was terrific as she went 4.1 innings and allowed just two hits while striking out six. Reid was credited with the win to improve to 5-0 this season and 18-0 in her career. In her past five appearances, Reid has pitched 17 innings and allowed just two earned runs while striking out 20 batters.

Game Two
The second game of the doubleheader was all Noles thanks to another home run from Amaya Ross and a quality start from Ashtyn Danley.

Danley got the start for the Noles and had her best outing of the season as she pitched five complete innings with four strikeouts while only allowing one hit.

Much like the first game, the Noles used some patience at the plate to get the offense going. Torres, Ross and Devyn Flaherty each drew a walk to load the bases for Danley who hit a ground ball to the shortstop allowing Torres to score. After Mudge walked, Beachum delivered a hard-hit ball to the shortstop who was unable to make a play to plate another run for the Noles.

Michaela Edenfield led off the bottom of the third inning with a single, and Ross stepped in with one out and hit a no-doubter over the left field wall for her fifth home run of the year to give the Noles a 4-0 lead after three innings.

The Seminoles were able to end the game early with four runs in the sixth. Danley hit a double off the left field wall, and Kennedy Harp reached on an error to put a runner in scoring position for Beachum who delivered again with an RBI-single. Harding brought home another run on a dropped fly ball by the right fielder. Torres earned a RBI on a groundout, and Hallie Wacaser hit a single down the left field line with the bases loaded to send the fans home early.

FSU will be back in action Wednesday to face their first ranked opponent in nearly a month. FSU will host No. 15 Alabama (20-3) tomorrow at 7 p.m. on the ACC Network.

For the first time this season, the Florida State and Florida baseball teams are set to face off in Gainesville Tuesday night.

The Seminoles (14-0) will look to improve to 15-0 and win their first game at UF since 2020 Tuesday at 6 p.m. (on SEC Network) at Condron Family Ballpark.

After starting Conner Whittaker in the first three midweek games, FSU is moving Whittaker back to the weekend rotation this weekend. Instead, the Seminoles will start senior righty Andrew Armstrong vs. the Gators Tuesday night. It will be Armstrong's second start of the season and the fourth of his career. He started Saturday's 15-7 win over New Orleans with two scoreless innings and has allowed no runs on four hits over 4.2 innings this season with seven strikeouts and no walks.

Florida will counter with freshman pitcher Alex Philpott (2-0, 2.57 ERA) on the mound. It'll be his second career start and he's allowed four runs over 14 innings this season, including two earned runs in three innings last Tuesday vs. UCF.

Here are the starting lineups:

FSU


UF


I'm down here at the ballpark and will have updates during and after the game from Gainesville.

FSU sports information:

Sophomore Luke Clanton punctuated his second collegiate victory by sinking a 15-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole to shoot 11-under at the Seminole Intercollegiate held at the Seminole Legacy Golf Club.

Clanton made a statement at home, which included a second-round 65 where he tied for the second-lowest score ever shot at Seminole Legacy. In Tuesday’s final round, he had to battle with teammate and freshman Tyler Weaver, who shot 10-under (68-69-69) and finished second overall.

“It’s awesome,” Clanton said after his second win. “Gray Albright winning last year, me winning this year…It’s an honor to have the trophy case here. Hopefully next year we can bring it home as a team.”

The Seminoles finished second as a team, shooting 3-over for the day as Ole Miss took home the team title at 13-under. FSU went 8-under, with redshirt senior Cole Anderson aiding the cause after tying for eighth at 1-under (73-71-71).

Clanton now has five Top 10 finishes in his last six tournaments played. His other victory was an impressive one – winning the NCAA Morgan Hill Regional last year as a freshman.

It became clear at the turn that Clanton would have to battle Weaver on the player leaderboard. Weaver finished his round on the front nine with a 33, which included a run of four consecutive birdies. Clanton finished on the back nine, and with Weaver tied with him atop the leaderboard at 10-under, Clanton hit a solid approach shot on the 18th hole that still made for a difficult 15-footer.

Clanton proceeded to read the left break precisely as he celebrated his make, knowing he secured yet another victory.

Rounding out the Top 5 was VCU in third place (+1) and Indiana and Arkansas tying for fourth at 17-over apiece.

Full results can be viewed on Golfstat.com.

FSU’s next tournament is the Valspar Collegiate Invitational on March 25-26 at The Floridian Golf Club in Palm City, Fla.

FSU sports information:

An entertaining first day at the Seminole Intercollegiate features a neck-and-neck leaderboard at the top, with Florida State Men’s Golf (-11) holding a one-stroke lead over Ole Miss (-10) through two rounds at the Seminole Legacy Golf Club.

Sophomore Luke Clanton (-9) leads all players as he fired a second-round 65 to take a two-stroke advantage. Tied for second place is Arkansas’ Jacob Skov Olesen (-7) and FSU’s Tyler Weaver (-7).

Clanton recorded six birdies in the second round and also had an eagle on the par-5, 590-yard 11th hole. Weaver added four birdies in what was another strong performance for the freshman.

Sophomore Jack Bigham is tied for eighth at 2-under, adding four birdies to the Seminole total. Cole Anderson shot 1-under and is tied for 14th, while Michael Mays is tied for 17that 1-over. Mays, like Weaver, is playing as an individual.

The Seminoles were the only team to shoot under par collectively on par 3 holes (-1). FSU also led the field with 37 birdies.

Michael La Sasso of Ole Miss set the Seminole Legacy Golf Club record with a 64 in the second round.

FSU tees off on Tuesday in the final round beginning at 9:40 a.m. with Gray Albright. For individuals, Sam Kodak begins tee times at 8:30 a.m.

Monday's team and individual stats are on golfstat.com

FSU sports information:

The No. 4 Florida State beach volleyball team defeated No. 15 FAU and FGCU on Tuesday in Boca Raton as part of the FAU Tournament. The Seminoles advance to 13-0 this season, their best start since 2021 where they appeared in the NCAA Tournament semifinal.

The Noles started the day with a 5-0 victory over the Owls, with all five pairs winning their respective courts 2-0. Raelyn White and Audrey Koenig put on a clinic, holding the Owls to just 10 points in the first set. Koenig and White then finished the duel with a 21-15 victory in the second set.

The Seminoles then faced FGCU, which was a continuation of their dominance. Though All-American Maddie Anderson and Skyler Germann were absent, FSU still completed the 5-0 sweep. Redshirt sophomores Makenna Wolfe and Madison Binkley stepped into court five where they defeated the Eagles by six points in both sets.

Florida State will travel to Manhattan Beach, Calif., this weekend to participate in the East vs. West Tournament. The Seminoles will play No. 12 Hawaii on Friday at 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time, followed by No. 7 California at 6:00 p.m. On Saturday, FSU will face No. 1 UCLA at 12:30 p.m. and then end the weekend by playing No. 6 LMU at 4:00 p.m.

#4 Florida State 5, #15 FAU 0

1. Maddie Anderson/Skyler Germann (FSU) def. Courtney Moon/Marketa Svozilova (FAU) 21-17, 21-17
2. Audrey Koenig/Raelyn White (FSU) def. Kate McLaughlin/Julie Honzovicova (FAU) 21-10, 21-15
3. Alli Hansen/Carra Sassack (FSU) def. Sloane Woolwine/Ashleigh Adams (FAU) 21-18, 21-16
4. Alexis Durish/Anna Long (FSU) def. Olivia Strandberg/Mikayla Law-Heese (FAU) 21-14, 23-21
5. Kaeli Crews/Caitlin Moon (FSU) def. Alivia Orvieto/Logan Mignerey (FAU) 21-12, 21-14

#4 Florida State 5, FGCU 0

1. Audrey Koenig/Raelyn White (FSU) def. Shelby Beisner/Trinity Rosales (FGCU) 21-15, 21-11
2. Alli Hansen/Carra Sassack (FSU) def. Kacie Johnson/Emma Soncrant (FGCU) 21-16, 21-13
3. Alexis Durish/Anna Long (FSU) def. Nicole De Oliveira/Kaitlyn Luebbers (FGCU) 21-12, 21-18
4. Caitlin Moon/Kaeli Crews (FSU) def. Lilly Hafner/Sydney Majick (FGCU) 21-13- 21-16
5. Makenna Wolfe/Madison Binkley (FSU) def. Mia Thompson/Skylar English (FGCU) 21-15, 21-15

My daughter (BS at FSU, MS and PhD at UC San Diego) just got offered an associate professor position at UConn in the Molecular and Cell Biology division. She’s currently doing a post doc at Johns Hopkins and that ends in June so this is exciting news. She interviewed at 5 different schools but UConn was her favorite.

Pretty excited for her. Been a long road of schooling.