After a somewhat disappointing start and being forced to miss more than two weeks due to positive COVID-19 tests, Florida State men’s basketball seems to have hit its stride.
The Seminoles have won four straight, including two contests in convincing fashion this week. FSU left Louisville on Monday with a 78-65 victory before returning home to handle Clemson 80-61 in two games that probably weren’t as close as the final score would indicate.
FSU led by as many as 24 points in Monday’s victory. The Seminoles shot 50% from the field while holding the Cardinals to 4-for-16 from deep.
Fresh off a career-high, RaiQuan Gray paced FSU with 17 points and eight rebounds. Wyatt Wilkes, Malik Osborne, RayQuan Evans and Scott Barnes added 13, 12, 11 and 10 points, respectively. M.J. Walker dished out a career-high 10 assists in the win. Carlik Jones paced Louisville with 17 points.
On Saturday, FSU’s lead grew to as much as 38 in a rout of Clemson. Florida State held the Tigers to just 30% shooting from the field and were in control throughout.
Balsa Koprivica finished with 13 points and 10 rebounds to lead FSU. Sardaar Clahoun also added 13 points in the victory while shooting 4-for-5 from deep. Gray and Walker each hit double figures while combining to shoot 8-for-11 from the field. John Newman III led the Tigers with 12 points.
With the two victories, FSU has likely assured itself a return to the AP top 25. The Seminoles sit at 9-2 for the season and 5-1 in ACC play. They’re in sole possession of second place in the ACC, a game back of first-place Virginia.
Football
Weekly Commitments: None
Weekly Decommitments: None
2021 Recruiting Class Ranking*: No. 30 nationally, sixth in ACC (16 total commitments)*
Big Picture: It was another quiet week for FSU, but roster updates were made as players prepare for “Tour of Duty”.
Men’s Basketball
Record: 9-2 (5-1 ACC)
Ranking: No. 25 Amway Coaches Poll
Past Week: (2-0), beat Louisville on Monday, 78-65; beat Clemson on Saturday, 80-61
Upcoming: vs. Miami (Wednesday); at Georgia Tech (Saturday)
Recognitions: None
Weekly Commitments: None
2021 Recruiting Class Ranking*: No. 2 nationally, first in ACC (four total commitments)*
Big Picture: FSU had maybe its most impressive week yet. The Seminoles notched convincing wins at Louisville and then at home over a top-20 Clemson team.
Women’s Basketball
Record: 5-2 (4-2 ACC)
Ranking: None
Past Week: (1-1), lost at Louisville on Sunday, 84-56; beat Clemson in double overtime on Thursday, 95-86
Upcoming: at Georgia Tech (Sunday); at Wake Forest (Thursday)
Recognitions: None
Big Picture: After a lengthy bit of time off, Florida State bounced back from a blowout loss at Louisville with a hard-fought home win over Clemson.
Swimming and Diving
Ranking: Men No. 15 CSCAA; Women No. 21 CSCAA
Past Week: FSU men defeated Auburn, 180-120; FSU women lost at Auburn, 186-114
Upcoming: vs. Tampa and North Florida (Wednesday)
Recognitions: None
Big Picture: The FSU men stayed perfect in head-to-head meets this week, beating Auburn in a top-25 match-up. The FSU women weren’t so lucky, but the Seminoles have added one more home meet before the ACC Championships next month.
Track and Field
Ranking: None
Past Week: Idle
Upcoming: Bob Pollock Meet (Friday and Saturday)
Recognitions: Isaac Grimes (ACC Men’s Co-Field Performer of the Week); Ruta Lasmane (ACC Women’s Field Performer of the Week)
Big Picture: FSU had the week off, but is ready for a big meet at Clemson.
Men’s Tennis
Record: 3-0
Ranking: None
Past Week: (3-0), beat North Florida on Sunday, 7-0; beat Mercer on Sunday, 5-0; beat South Alabama on Friday, 4-2
Upcoming: at Georgia (Sunday)
Recognitions: None
Big Picture: FSU felt a little bit of resistance against South Alabama, but will have its toughest test of the season on Sunday against No. 10 Georgia.
Women’s Tennis
Record: 0-0
Ranking: No. 9 ITA
Past Week: FSU began the FSU Invitational on Friday and Saturday
Upcoming: FSU Invitational (Sunday); vs. South Florida (Tuesday); vs. Old Dominion (Saturday); vs. Troy (Saturday)
Recognitions: None
Big Picture: FSU got its season underway with the FSU Invitational against Clemson and Georgia. The Seminoles will have their first team match on Tuesday against South Florida.
Men’s Golf
Ranking: None
Past Week: Won Camp Creek Seminole Invitational
Upcoming: Timuquana Collegiate (Monday and Tuesday)
Recognitions: None
Big Picture: FSU kicked off the season with a thrilling comeback win at Camp Creek. The Seminoles will be back in action on Monday.
*247Sports Composite rankings
Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson
Mike Olivella/Florida State athletics 
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