Florida State head coach Luke Loucks closed on a monster addition to the FSU team earlier Sunday. Big man Sebastian Rancik chose the Noles over Kentucky, which became the fourth blue-chip player from the transfer portal to commit to Luke Loucks and the staff at Florida State.
That’s a top-25 portal class (which may not be done), combining with a top-10 high school recruiting class. It took a while for Florida State to figure it out in year one with Luke Loucks and a patchwork band of players from the transfer portal assembled at the last minute.
However, Florida State was legitimately playing like a top-25 team in the second half of the season, and every advanced metric confirmed that statement. Their play on the court confirmed it too, as they took Duke to the brink in the ACC Tournament Semifinals, missing a game-winning shot at the buzzer.
Nearly all of that team is gone, with only a couple of players returning. However, what everyone witnessed in year one has raised expectations for Florida State in year two.
I am going to be very high on FSU next season.
— Ryan Hammer🔨 (@ryanhammer09) April 19, 2026
Insanely strong end of the season last year. Not much retention but faith in the system & process.
A great portal class + great freshmen class.
Shout out Luke Loucks I see you@lukeloucks https://t.co/BPA0hZr2eK
The buzz around Florida State basketball hasn't been like this in a long time.
It will be a more talented team overall, and the coaching staff that was put together at the last minute last season will have last year under their belt and can pull from that experience.
FSU head coach Luke Loucks admitted he learned a lot in year one, and he has to be given credit for making adjustments in his philosophies to maximize the strengths and minimizing the weaknesses he had on this year's team. It takes a lot for a young coach to admit he needs to make changes, but to do it midseason and have success? That's big time, especially after the terrible start they had in the ACC.
A lot of credit has to be giving to the coaching staff as a whole, some who have been head coaches in college. Florida State was playing like a NCAA Tournament team at the end of year one, and the expectations in year two will likely be to make the NCAA Tournament.
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