In less than 24 hours, Florida State will be taking the court in the Tucker Center for the final exhibition of the preseason against the LSU Tigers. The two teams have not met very frequently on the court in the past, but the exhibition should offer the Seminoles a different type of challenge ahead of the regular season.
Florida State coach Luke Loucks has been looking for tough games that will challenge his team, and he certainly found an interesting challenge with the LSU exhibition looming. The Tigers, under the guidance of coach Will Wade, have taken an unusual approach to building perhaps the most experienced roster in college basketball.
The Seminoles took down another very experienced team in Auburn for the first exhibition of the preseason. Florida State looked like an improved team against Auburn, but the Tigers' team they must face this time around will look a bit different.
How to watch the Florida State vs. LSU men's basketball exhibition
- Date: Saturday, October 24
- Time: 1 p.m. ET
- Venue: Donald L. Tucker Center, Tallahassee, Florida
- How to watch/streaming: ACC Network Extra (ESPN+), Seminole Sports Network
- TV: None
- Announcers: Sean Salisbury, Jacob Ridenhour
- LSU exhibition record: 2-0
- Florida State exhibition record: 1-0
Key players to watch out for during Florida State vs. LSU
Florida State
- Freshman center Marcis Ponder
- Junior guard Kam Taylor (18.9/5/3 with UNCA)
- Sophomore forward Shon Abaev (7/2.9/1.1 with Cincinnati)
If you don't know who he is yet, you will certainly find out for yourself very soon. Freshman center Marcis Ponder made his presence felt against Auburn, notching a double-double against some stiff competition in the paint. What impressed me the most during the game was Ponder's physicality and ability to use every bit of his massive 7-foot, 285-pound frame.
With Ponder serving as the thunder of the team, junior guard Kam Taylor would almost certainly be the lightning for the Seminoles. At 6-foot-7, Taylor has a height advantage over the majority of guards at the collegiate level, and with his size comes serious athletic capabilities. Loucks has already referred to Taylor as perhaps the most athletic player in Florida State history, and the Seminoles are going to lean heavily into his slashing abilities moving forward.
There is plenty of talent and exciting new faces on the Seminoles' roster this season, and a player who will likely serve in a prominent role is sophomore forward Shon Abaev. The forward started 12 games for Cincinnati last season and made a name for himself as a do-it-all player. Abaev can rebound, score at multiple levels, handle the basketball, and run an offense, which gives Florida State another guard of sorts who is a mismatch on paper.
LSU
- Senior guard Donovan Dent (13.3/2.9/7.6 with UCLA)
- Senior guard Skyy Clark (11.5/2.3/2 with UCLA)
- Senior forward Mo Dioubate (8.8/5.5/1 with Kentucky)
Tigers' coach Will Wade took an interesting and controversial approach to building his roster, with just four officially rostered players for the first exhibition of the preseason against McNeese. The story surrounding the roster ahead of the season has focused mainly on the players Wade was unable to add to his roster. Most notably, RJ Luis Jr. was a player Wade battled to bring onto the roster, but his NBA experience and past contracts ultimately forced the coach to drop the battle.
Wade now has a 14-man roster after many previously thought the Tigers may not be able to field a full team. Leading the way this season for LSU will be fifth-year guard Donovan Dent, who was one of the most prolific passers in the country last season. Dent has played virtually every minute of the previous two exhibitions, and with more bodies on the bench now, expect Dent to play less than normal against Florida State.
One player who has not hit the court yet this preseason for LSU is fifth-year guard and former teammate of Dent, Skyy Clark. LSU received word two days ago that Clark is good to go this season eligibility-wise, which means he could make his preseason debut against Florida State. Clark brings accurate three-point shooting skills and a willingness to get down and dirty on defense to the team.
A player Florida State will be looking out for during the exhibition is senior forward Mo Dioubate, a former role player for Alabama and Kentucky. Dioubate has primarily come off the bench in his career, but his time with LSU will likely look a little different. With a powerful presence in the paint, the forward could be a good match-up for a young player like Ponder to take on.
2025-26 records for Florida State and LSU
- LSU 2025-26 record: 15-17 (3-15 in SEC)
- Florida State 2025-26 record: 18-15 (10-8 in ACC)
Florida State and LSU regular season history
- All-time meetings: 3
- FSU all-time record vs. LSU: 1-2
- Last meeting: 12/3/24 - 85-75 LSU W
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