CORAL GABLES, Fla. — Some nights, the scoreboard gets the last laugh — and Tuesday belonged to the Florida State Seminoles, who walked into Miami’s Watsco Center and walked out with a 65‑63 upset that had everyone’s eyebrows raised.
Down South Florida way, where Hurricanes fans were still licking wounds from a gut‑wrenching CFP title loss, FSU turned the hardwood into a little bit of humor for its own supporters. In a game that never lacked sweat, grit and just enough clutch late‑game drama, Florida State not only survived but thrived, handing Miami (15‑4, 4‑2 ACC) its second straight defeat while the Seminoles (8‑11, 1‑5) celebrated one of the biggest road wins of the season.
Senior guard Robert McCray V led all scorers with 20 points, knocking down 6 of 8 free throws in the final minute to seal it. Chauncey Wiggins chipped in 10 points, and FSU used a balanced attack with big contributions across the board to grind out the two‑point win. McCray also added four rebounds and four assists, proving that when he’s locked in, he’s a handful for any defense. Meanwhile, Miami’s Shelton Henderson finished with 18 points and eight rebounds and Malik Reneau scored 16 for the Hurricanes, but it wasn’t enough to hold off the Seminoles in crunch time.
The game was tight throughout. Florida State held a 38‑37 edge at halftime, then traded baskets with Miami in a second half that saw momentum swing like a metronome. The Hurricanes even tied things at 63 with seconds left, but McCray calmly drew a foul and sank two pressure free throws to win it, leaving Coral Gables stunned.
For FSU, this wasn’t just an upset — it was a statement. The Seminoles have now won six of the last seven meetings with Miami, and here they turned back a team aiming for an NCAA tournament profile. Florida State’s bench played with energy and poise, and the defense made enough key plays down the stretch to keep a dangerous Miami offense at bay.
The Hurricanes, who average more points per game and play at a higher tempo on paper, struggled to find consistent rhythm against FSU’s pressure, shooting well above average in the first half but cooling off after intermission.
This victory gives interim coach Luke Loucks his first signature ACC road win — a feather in the cap for a team that hasn’t always found consistency. For Miami, the loss leaves its fanbase grimacing again, doubly so on a night when emotions are running high.
In the unpredictable world of ACC basketball, though, anything can happen — just not Tuesday night in Coral Gables. Florida State walked in underdog, played like it, and walked out victorious. For FSU fans and players alike, it was the kind of win that feels great to tell guests about at the next barbecue. For Miami, it’s another reminder that the hoops gods don’t care about reputations — only delivered points.
Come Saturday, FSU heads to SMU looking for another upset; Miami travels to Syracuse hoping to right the ship. But Tuesday’s tale belongs to the Seminoles, who left Coral Gables with laughter, celebration and a well‑earned victory on the board.
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