A historic rivalry resurges in Tampa
The 2026‑27 college basketball season will open with a marquee matchup in Tampa, where Florida State and Florida A&M are set to renew a rivalry that has been dormant for more than three decades. The game forms part of a doubleheader that also features a clash between the University of Florida and the University of Miami, drawing statewide attention to the weekend’s slate of games.
The last on‑court meeting between the two schools dates back to an exhibition in 1991, a contest that ended abruptly when a brawl erupted after a layup by then‑FSU star Charlie Ward; the game was subsequently forfeited. Ward, now the head coach of Florida A&M, guided the Rattlers to a 15‑16 record in his debut season, placing them tied for second in the SWAC and leaving them just three points shy of the conference tournament title game.
Florida State enters the series with an unblemished 5‑0 record against the Rattlers, the most recent full‑court victory occurring on December 7, 1982, when the Seminoles edged a 81‑79 win. The upcoming contest will be the first official meeting since that 1991 exhibition, reigniting a narrative that has long defined the cross‑town rivalry.
Both programs view the matchup as more than a season opener; it is an opportunity to celebrate shared history while charting new directions. For Florida State, the game underscores the program’s enduring dominance in the series, while for Florida A&M it represents a chance to prove that the legacy of players like Charlie Ward can translate into future success under new leadership.