The Florida State men's basketball team is looking to match the program's best non-conference record since joining a conference in 1976-77. In the 43 seasons of playing a conference schedule, first in the Metropolitan Conference and then the ACC, the 2016-17 season was their best non-conference start with a 12-1 record. The Seminoles have a chance to match that if they win their next four games.
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With a win against UConn to move to 8-1, it gives the Seminoles an opportunity to have a 12-1 record heading into conference play, their first ACC opponent being the sixth-ranked Virginia Cavaliers. And each of the next four games are against teams that are extremely winnable with three being played at the Donald L. Tucker Center and the fourth at a neutral site.
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The Seminoles are led by a group of players, which makes them more dangerous since they don't rely on the success of just one or two players. Terrance Mann leads the team in scoring (12.1 ppg.) and rebounds (7.4 rpg.) and is second in assists (two per game).
Mfiondu Kabengele has been great this season, too, averaging 11.4 points and 4.1 rebounds, nice improvements from his 7.1 point average from a season ago. Trent Forrest has been great in all phases of the game. He averages 10 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 2.1 steals as well as multiple huge shots to extend and wins games this season.
Upcoming Schedule
12/17 - Southeast Missouri (Home)
The Redhawks are currently 5-5 and have lost two of their last three games. They play at The Citadel two days before traveling to Tallahassee, so they will be on the road for quite a while before playing Florida State.
12/19 - North Florida (Home)
The Ospreys are 4-6 on the season and have only won one of their six games on the road. They lost by 32 points to the Florida Gators, who the Seminoles beat by 21 points.
12/22 - St. Louis (Neutral)
By far the best of these four teams, the Billikens are 7-2, with their first loss coming to Pittsburgh. They have beat some good programs like Seton Hall and Butler, so this won't be an easy win. However, FSU is a more talented team and should win this.
1/1 - Winthrop (Home)
The Eagles are extremely capable of staying in this game since they are averaging almost 92 points per game. But with a 4-4 record, two of their wins have come against small, sub-division schools.
Best Records in Non-Conference Schedule
There have been some seasons where before they begin their conference schedule, they have had ACC opponents mixed in to their schedule.
- 2016-17: 12-1 (AP Poll High:6/ AP Finish: 16)
- 2017-18: 11-1 (AP Poll High:19/ AP Finish: None)
- 2008-09: 13-2 (Lost to Georgia Tech) (AP Poll High:16/ AP Finish: 16)
- 2009-10: 13-2 (Beat Pittsburgh) (AP Poll High:18/ AP Finish: None)
- 2003-04: 12-2 (AP Poll High:None/ AP Finish: None)
- 2006-07: 12-2 (AP Poll High:None/ AP Finish: None)
- 1997-98: 11-2 (AP Poll High:13/ AP Finish: None)
