Luke Loucks took Florida State basketball to a place it hadn’t been since the 2020-21 season, and that’s over .500 overall and in conference play. The Noles had an emphatic turnaround after starting 0-5 in conference play. They went on to finish 17-14 and 10-8 in the ACC to end the regular season, with players mostly from the transfer portal.
However, it was getting all of those different pieces to buy into the vision, playing together as a unit, and not mailing it in after a terrible start in ACC play. In today’s world of having players to play hard when they get paid regardless of wins and losses, it’s a testament to the culture Loucks and the staff created in year one.
Loucks spoke on their success on social media Monday night:
Honored to coach for such a great University.
— Luke Loucks (@lukeloucks) March 10, 2026
We will continue building this program with great people who care about the right things and are motivated to get this program to a consistent, sustainable winner.
Can’t believe it’s already been 1 year - excited for @FSUHoops… https://t.co/4qMQNsRsMn
FSU basketball will look to play the spoiler role in the ACC Tournament
One way to get the right people on board to help build a consistent and sustainable winner is to have the type of success he had this season. Everyone likes winning, and showing proof of concept like they did in the second half of the season will probably make it easier for Loucks to ask for the resources needed to compete at the highest level. Those people will likely be more apt to give than they did in year one, and those who gave then will likely give more this year.
Isn’t it funny how success can breed success?
This is what Florida State fans want to hear from a young coach who admittedly still has a lot to learn. FSU will be the No. 8 seed in the ACC Tournament and will likely receive an NIT bid if they don't pull off the upset in the ACC Tournament. How long they continue playing will go a long way to helping Luke Loucks gather the resources needed for the future.