Seminole Summary Sunday: FSU Wins a Pair at Home in Return to Court

After more than two weeks off due to COVID-19 protocols, Florida State basketball returned to the court this week and impressed in a big way. FSU had a 2-0 week with home victories over NC State and North Carolina.

The Seminoles kicked off the week with a 105-73 blowout of NC State on Wednesday night. FSU shot 71% from the field and went a ridiculous 12-for-18 from deep. The 105 points was the most for FSU in an ACC game in nearly four years.

RayQuan Evans powered FSU with a career-high 24 points on 9-for-11 shooting. M.J. Walker and Nathanael Jack were also outstanding for FSU with 19 and 18 points, respectively, on a combined 13-for-15 from the field.

Without Scottie Barnes, FSU felt more resistance against North Carolina on Saturday, but prevailed, 82-75. The Seminoles twice led by 11, but held just a 1-point lead with over two minutes to play. RaiQuan Gray’s 3-point play would give FSU the edge it needed as North Carolina managed just two points over the final 2:22.

FSU shot 48% from the field and 8-for-16 from deep. North Carolina made 10 3-pointers. Perhaps the biggest surprise was that FSU held a 30-29 edge on the glass.

Walker paced the Seminoles with 21 points while Gray added a career-high 19. Evans, Balsa Koprivica and Malik Osborne each finished with 10 points for FSU. R.J. Davis finished 6-for-9 with a team-high 16 points for the Tar Heels.

With the victories this week, FSU improved to 7-2 on the season and 3-1 in ACC play. The Seminoles ran their home ACC winning streak to 20 games. They will play a pair of ranked teams this week.

Football

Weekly Commitments: None
Weekly Decommitments: None
2021 Recruiting Class Ranking*: No. 30 nationally, sixth in ACC (16 total commitments)*
Big Picture: It was a relatively quiet week for FSU, although it did land South Carolina transfer Jammie Robinson.

Men’s Basketball

Record: 7-2 (3-1 ACC)
Ranking: None
Past Week: (2-0), beat NC State on Wednesday, 105-73; beat North Carolina on Saturday, 82-75
Upcoming: at Louisville (Monday); vs. Clemson (Saturday)
Recognitions: None
Weekly Commitments: None
2021 Recruiting Class Ranking*: No. 2 nationally, first in ACC (four total commitments)*
Big Picture: After 15 days off, Florida State had a splendid return to the court. Wins over NC State and North Carolina will likely land FSU back in the top 25.

Women’s Basketball

Record: 4-1 (3-1 ACC)
Ranking: None
Past Week: (0-0), FSU was supposed to return to the court on Thursday, but had another contest postponed due to COVID-19 protocols.
Upcoming: at Louisville (Sunday); vs. NC State (Thursday)
Recognitions: None
Big Picture: FSU appears good to return to the court. The return begins with a tough contest against Louisville on Sunday.

Swimming and Diving

Ranking: Men No. 16 CSCAA; Women No. 22 CSCAA
Past Week: FSU men defeated Gardner-Webb, 188-90; FSU women beat Gardner-Webb, 226-48
Upcoming: at Auburn (Wednesday)
Recognitions: None
Big Picture: FSU swimming and diving took care of business against Gardner-Webb on Saturday. Wednesday’s meet at Auburn will be the last before the ACC Championships.

Track and Field

Ranking: None
Past Week: Competed in Gamecock Opener
Upcoming: Bob Pollock Meet (Jan. 29 and 30)
Recognitions: None
Big Picture: Action was limited, but FSU opened its 2021 season against South Carolina on Saturday.

Men’s Tennis

Ranking: None
Upcoming: vs. North Florida and Mercer (Sunday); vs. South Alabama (Friday)
Recognitions: None
Big Picture: FSU men’s tennis will be unranked to open the 2021 season.

Women’s Tennis

Ranking: No. 9 ITA
Upcoming: vs. Georgia, Clemson or Miami (Friday and Saturday)
Recognitions: None
Big Picture: FSU will open the year in the top 10 after a stellar season last year that came to an abrupt halt.

Men’s Golf

Ranking: None
Upcoming: Camp Creek Seminole Invitational (Sunday through Tuesday)
Recognitions: None
Big Picture: FSU men’s golf kicks off its 2021 season on Sunday at Camp Creek. The Seminoles will look to improve on a couple disappointing campaigns.

*247Sports Composite rankings

Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson