For one last time in 2025, the UNC basketball program will take the court at the Dean Smith Center.
While the calendar year is set to expire, ACC play is just getting started, as Hubert Davis and the Tar Heels will host Florida State to begin conference action on Tuesday night.
The Seminoles come to Chapel Hill featuring a completely new look. Leonard Hamilton is no longer at the helm, as former Florida State standout Luke Loucks has taken over the reins of leading the program. Non-conference play wasn't very friendly to the Seminoles, who were 0-5 in road games and struggled against higher-level competition.
North Carolina aims to ensure that Florida State enters the new year winless in road contests through this point in the 2025-2026 season.
2025-2026 Season
North Carolina Tar Heels
Overall record: 12-1
Conference Record: 0-0
Home Record: 9-0
Away Record: 1-0
Neutral Site Record: 2-1
Top-25 Wins: 2
Florida State Seminoles
Overall record: 7-6
Conference Record: 0-0
Home Record: 7-1
Away Record: 0-2
Neutral Site Record: 0-3
History
North Carolina has dominated the history between the two programs, holding a 57-16 all-time record against the Seminoles.
Since 1999, the UNC basketball program is 35-11 against Florida State. They have won each of the last six meetings between the two teams, with the Seminoles last victory against the Tar Heels dating back to March 12, 2021 in the ACC Tournament in Greensboro.
The latest meeting occurred on February 24, 2025, in Tallahassee, Florida, a game that the UNC basketball program secured a 96-85 victory. North Carolina had six players score in double-figures, led by RJ Davis' 20 points and Seth Trimble's 17 points.
Key Players
North Carolina
Caleb Wilson (Fr. Forward)- 19.6 points, 10.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists
Henri Veesaar (Jr. Center)- 16.8 points, 9.2 rebounds, 1.9 assists
Seth Trimble (Sr. Guard)- 14.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.8 assists
Florida State
Robert McCray V (Sr. Guard)- 13.5 points, 3.7 rebounds, 7.1 assists
Chauncey Wiggins (Sr. Forward)- 12.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, 0.8 assists
Lajae Jones (Sr. Guard)- 11.7 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.1 assists
Keys to Victory for North Carolina
Limit the turnovers
Florida State uses its versatility on the defensive side of the floor to make life difficult for opposing offenses. Averaging just under 10 steals per game, the Seminoles love to cause havoc on the defensive end, ultimately turning it into transition opportunities on the other end of the floor.
Just like the Tar Heels, Florida State loves to get out and run, as a track meet might just occur on Roy Williams Court when these two teams square off.
It will be extremely important for North Carolina to take care of the basketball, limiting Florida State's transition opportunities. If they can handle the rock well, it will be difficult for the Seminoles to get out and run, forcing them to have to rely more on their half-court offense (which the Tar Heels should be aiming for).
Something to Watch For
How will the long layoff impact both teams?
Having as much as eight days in between contests, it will be interesting to see how both squads look early on in this game. Given that the game is in Chapel Hill, the Tar Heels might have a slight advantage in this area due to not having to travel, but it will be important that they shake off the rust (if there is any) early to help set the tone for the entire contest.
Projected Starters
No. 0- Kyan Evans
No. 7- Seth Trimble
No. 44- Luka Bogavac
No. 8- Caleb Wilson
No. 13- Henri Veesaar