Tar Heels Face Crucial Test Against Seminoles on Monday Night

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Feb. 24, 2025) — The North Carolina Tar Heels travel to Tallahassee to face the Florida State Seminoles on Monday at 7 p.m. on ESPN, looking to continue their recent momentum after winning four of their last five games.

The Tar Heels, currently holding a 17-11 record and 10-6 in ACC play, are coming off an 81-66 victory against Virginia, marking their third consecutive win. This success follows a four-game stretch where they had struggled on the road. With a solid performance against the Cavaliers, UNC aims to break a trend of inconsistency as they take on FSU.

Florida State enters this matchup with a record of 16-11 and 7-9 in the ACC, following an 89-81 loss to Louisville. Despite recent struggles, including a 3-6 record over their last nine games, the Seminoles have shown resilience with victories in three of their last five outings.

“We’ve built some confidence through these wins, and we’ll need to lean on that going into Tallahassee,” said Tar Heels coach Hubert Davis.

In terms of head-to-head matchups, North Carolina has dominated the all-time series against Florida State, boasting a record of 53-16, including a 19-8 mark in Tallahassee. The Tar Heels have also won the last five encounters, including last season’s victory in the ACC Tournament.

The Tar Heels’ recent success can be attributed to their high-scoring offense, which currently averages 80.9 points per game. As the third-highest scoring team in the ACC, the Tar Heels have demonstrated offensive efficiency, highlighted by their ability to shoot over 47.4% from the field this season.

UNC’s RJ Davis leads the team with an average of 17.3 points per game and has significantly contributed to his team’s scoring efforts lately. His ability to score efficiently is complemented by fellow key players such as Seth Trimble and Elliot Cadeau, who have also made substantial contributions in terms of assists and scoring.

“We’ve adjusted our lineup to maximize our strengths,” Davis noted. “It’s crucial that we maintain our offensive rhythm against a challenging opponent like Florida State.”

On the other hand, Florida State’s Jamir Watkins is a standout performer, averaging 18.1 points per game. He will be a player to watch closely as he has been integral to the Seminoles’ scoring efficiency. Meanwhile, Malique Ewin has emerged as a reliable inside presence, adding 14.4 points and 8.0 rebounds per game.

The game poses potential challenges, including facing FSU’s tall lineup and aggressive defenses. Previous meetings have shown that North Carolina must handle the Seminoles’ size and speed to avoid turnovers, especially with Cadeau’s recent struggles managing ball control.

“The game will require focus and discipline. We can’t afford to let turnovers dictate the tempo,” Davis mentioned.

Looking ahead, UNC must secure this win to bolster their chances for postseason play. Currently listed as one of the first four teams out of the NCAA tournament, a loss could significantly dampen their prospects as the season nears its end.

As the Tar Heels prepare to face the Seminoles, they aim not only for a victory but to solidify their standing in the ACC and further enhance their tournament credentials.