FSU Basketball: Noles reportedly set to take part in Orange Bowl Classic in 2018

FSU basketball continues to fill out its non-conference schedule for the upcoming season with what is turning into an annual trip to Broward County.

In recent weeks, the FSU basketball team has seen its schedule become clearer and clearing for the upcoming season. In addition to the normally brutal schedule of ACC games, the Seminoles know they will be opening the season against rival Florida, will host Sweet 16 participant Purdue, perennial power UConn and could play defending champ Villanova come Thanksgiving weekend.

Now, it appears the Noles will be making what has become an annual trip – heading to the suburbs of Fort Lauderdale to take part in the annual Orange Bowl basketball classic.

According to both the St. Louis Post Dispatch and CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein, FSU basketball will be playing in the event on December 22nd inside the BB&T Center in Sunrise (home of the NHL’s Florida Panthers) against the St. Louis Billikins.

The Seminoles and Billikins have met 12 times in the past with Florida State holding an 11-1 series advantage. The teams have not met since the 1981-82 season, when both had been members of the old Metro Conference. St. Louis’ only win in the series came with a one point victory in February of 1981.

For the Seminoles, it would be the 10th time they have taken part in the annual event that has featured of late both the Noles and the Gators in an effort to capitalize on the fan bases of both teams that don’t always get to see FSU basketball in action or can’t make it to Coral Gables for the annual game with rival Miami.

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All-time, FSU basketball has a 7-2 record in the event that includes a loss last season by one point to Oklahoma State. The Seminoles have played in the event the last six seasons, including wins over USF, UMass, Tulsa, Manhattan and Florida Atlantic.