How many times have you heard me say FSU relies on the three-point shot way too much this season? FSU had been averaging over 30+ three-point attempts every game, only making about 30 percent of the attempts.
The strategy was flawed, often leading to blowout losses or losing healthy leads down the stretch like the last outing against Wake Forest.
FSU (8-11, 1-5 ACC) switched up the strategy on the road against the rival Miami Hurricanes (15-4, 4-2 ACC) to pull the upset in a 65-63 win.
Jones with FEROCITY💪#Connected pic.twitter.com/ZvMqOqRYct
— Florida State Men’s Basketball (@FSUHoops) January 21, 2026
Here are three major takeaways from the signature win for Luke Loucks:
- FSU only took 17 three-point attempts, making six (35 percent)
- FSU scored 32 points in the paint, 10 fast break points, and 11 from the free throw line
- FSU held Miami to 25 percent from the three-point line, forcing 14 turnovers and converting those into 12 points
This approach by FSU basketball will likely give them a shot to win a few more games
The approach to take fewer three-point shots has been something I’ve been calling for since earlier in the year. FSU would have too many empty possessions because they don’t shoot it well enough from three. The fact that they went inside the paint and shot 45 percent overall helped them win this game.
The ability to make free throws down the stretch, to convert Miami turnovers into points, and to hold Miami to 25 percent three-point shooting were all huge.
FSU has struggled in nearly all of these areas and finally put it together against a rival for a big signature win for Luke Loucks. Hopefully, we’ll see more of this approach in the coming weeks. It’ll give them a shot to win more games overall.