After losing two straight matchups vs. SEC opponents, Florida State (5-3) will look to bounce back in a nonconference matchup vs. the No. 8 Houston Cougars (7-1) in a neutral-site matchup at the Toyota Center in Houston.
The Houston Hoops Challenge is the fifth all-time meeting between the two schools. The Cougars are currently ranked No. 8 by KenPom and 17th in the NET. Florida State (No. 93 in KenPom, No. 116 in NET) is currently a 17.5-point underdog, according to FanDuel, with the over/under set
at 145.5.
Last time out for FSU, the Seminoles got thumped by the Georgia Bulldogs 107-73, and are looking to get back on track after two consecutive losses. They’ll have to get through a Houston team that figures to be a top-seed once again in this year’s NCAA tournament, with the Cougars’ lone loss coming at the hands of No. 17 Tennessee, 76-73.
Florida State Seminoles vs. Houston Cougars: How to watch, stream, odds
Date
- Saturday, December 6
Time
- 8 p.m. ET
Watch/Stream
- Stream: Peacock
Listen
- Seminoles Radio Network
- FSU Broadcast: Ch. 371/SXM App
Spread
- +17.5, Florida State
Over/Under
Notes to know:
- Luke Loucks and his players must bounce back after two painful defeats in a row to Texas A&M and Georgia. Loucks is looking to build his reputation being a first-year head coach, and these losses can crumble a team, or they can use it as fire.
- There will be a long break between Florida State facing another top team; their next-ranked opponent comes in ACC play versus a likely-ranked North Carolina team, followed by a very likely-ranked Duke team.
From FSU Sports Info:
- Florida State enters its game against Houston ranked first in the nation in 3-point field goals attempted per game (37.3), ninth in the nation in total 3-point field goals attempted (298), 11th in 3-point field goals made per game (11.8), and tied for 33rd nationally in total 3-point field goals made (94).
- Florida State enters its game against Houston ranked sixth in the nation with an 11.4 team steals per game average, and tied for 19th in total team steals (91).
- Florida State travels to play Houston in the Houston Hoops Showdown at the Toyota Center on Saturday, December 6. The game between the Seminoles and the Cougars marks the sixth meeting between the two teams – and first since January 5, 1974, when the Cougars defeated the Seminoles by a 79-74 score at the Hofheinz Pavilion in the Bluebonnet Tournament. The Cougars are coached by Kelvin Sampson, who is in his 12th season as Houston’s head coach. He has never coached against Florida State. Bobby Champagne, the Director of Basketball Operations and Basketball Strategy, faced the Seminoles as an assistant coach at Louisiana (then known as Southwestern Louisiana) – an 80-71 Florida State win in Lafayette, Louisiana, on December 29, 1997.
- If Florida State defeats No. 7/8 Houston, they will have its first win over a ranked team since defeating No. 18 Colorado, 77-71 in overtime in the Sunshine Slam championship on November 23, 2023.
- This will also be their first win over a top 10-ranked team since defeating No. 5 Duke at home, 79-78, in overtime on January 18, 2022.
Players to know:
- F Chris Cenac Jr: Cenac became the first freshman to record a double-double in his debut game since 1999. Cenac is also incredibly good at rebounding, posting game-highs against Lehigh; he currently leads the team in rebounds and is 7th in the Big 12.
- G Emmanuel Sharp: Sharp has been a focal point of the Houston offense for a while now. The senior and Tampa-native recently got his 100th win with the Cougars and is averaging 16.4 points per game.
