Feb. 21, 2026, 2:47 p.m. ET

Florida State delivered one of the season’s most stunning upsets Saturday afternoon, defeating Clemson 70-65 at Littlejohn Coliseum, despite ESPN’s Matchup Predictor giving the Seminoles just a 12.2% chance of victory entering the game. The Seminoles (14-13, 7-7 ACC) rode Robert McCray V’s career-high 29 points to their seventh conference win, extending Clemson’s losing streak to four games and dropping the Tigers (20-8, 10-5 ACC) further into crisis mode.

Florida State shot 50% from the field and 41.7% from three-point range while dominating the second half 37-29 to complete the improbable road victory. The win marks FSU’s third straight victory and seventh in the last nine games, officially moving Luke Loucks’ squad above .500 in ACC play and into legitimate contention for a favorable conference tournament seed.

McCray authored the finest performance of his collegiate career, exploding for 29 points on 10 for 19 shooting (52.6%) to lead all scorers and carry Florida State to an upset victory that seemed impossible just days ago.

“This is what we recruited Robert to do,” Loucks said after the game. “Take over games in hostile environments when we need a bucket. He was absolutely sensational today.”

Perhaps most crucially, McCray delivered when the game hung in the balance. With Clemson mounting runs throughout the second half, the senior guard consistently answered with timely baskets that prevented the Tigers from seizing momentum. Seven of his points came off turnovers, showcasing his ability to capitalize on transition opportunities.

Florida State’s superior three-point shooting provided the critical margin in Saturday’s upset victory, with the Seminoles connecting on 10 of 24 attempts (41.7%) compared to Clemson’s dismal 10 of 33 performance (30.3%) from beyond the arc.

Lajae Jones provided crucial support for McCray by draining 3 of 5 three-pointers (60%) en route to 13 points. Jones’ ability to space the floor kept Clemson’s defense honest and prevented them from loading up on McCray V. The forward also contributed three blocks defensively, demonstrating his two-way impact.

For Clemson, the three-point struggles extended a troubling pattern. The Tigers have now failed to shoot 33% or better from three-point range in four consecutive games, with their perimeter offense completely stagnating during the losing streak.

The contrast was stark: Florida State shot with confidence and rhythm from three, while Clemson’s attempts looked forced and tentative. That difference in conviction manifested in the final score.

After trailing 36-33 at halftime, Florida State completely flipped the script in the second half by outscoring Clemson 37-29 over the final 20 minutes. The Seminoles’ second-half surge demonstrated their growth under Loucks and their ability to make in-game adjustments that had been lacking earlier in the season.

Saturday’s upset victory over Clemson represents the culmination of Florida State’s remarkable midseason transformation under first-year head coach Luke Loucks. The Seminoles have won seven of their last 9 games after starting ACC play 0-5, vaulting from conference tournament bubble to legitimate contenders for a first-round bye.

Florida State’s 70-65 upset victory at Clemson represents one of the season’s most impressive road wins in the ACC. McCray’s brilliance, Florida State’s three-point shooting, and the team’s second-half adjustments proved decisive against a Clemson squad desperately searching for answers.

The upset sends a clear message: Florida State is no longer a team to overlook in the ACC, and this victory validates Loucks’ vision for the program moving forward.

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