The schedule for next season’s ACC‑SEC Challenge was released on Friday, confirming a much‑anticipated matchup that will see the Tennessee Volunteers open their home slate against the Florida State Seminoles on December 1 at the Food City Center in Knoxville.
Tennessee holds a 5‑4 edge in the all‑time series against Florida State, but the last encounter in 2019 ended in a 60‑57 defeat, a narrow loss that still resonates among the fan base.
The Volunteers have faced the Seminoles, the Orange, and the Tar Heels in previous challenge games, with mixed outcomes that have highlighted both breakthroughs and setbacks.
In the most recent challenge against Syracuse, Tennessee fell 62‑60 despite a 22‑point effort from Jaylen Carey; Nate Ament’s 11 points and a last‑second desperation shot at the rim nearly forced overtime, while Ja’Kobi Gillespie contributed 10 points and Zakai Zeigler added 14 points and eight assists.
Two years ago the Vols posted a dominant 96‑70 victory over Syracuse at the same venue, a game in which Chaz Lanier exploded for 26 points, Igor Milicic Jr. recorded a double‑double with 11 points and 10 rebounds, and the team surged to an 8‑0 start, tying a program record with a 14‑0 opening stretch.
A more recent test came against North Carolina, where the Tar Heels built a 61‑39 halftime lead before Tennessee rallied, outscoring them by 14 in the second half to narrow the final margin to 100‑92; Dalton Knecht’s 37 points set a new scoring record for an opposing player at the Dean Smith Center.
A Legacy of Close Contests
The history between Tennessee and Florida State is marked by tightly contested games, each swing of momentum underscoring the competitive spirit of the ACC‑SEC Challenge; fans remember the overtime thriller of December 1987, when the Vols edged the Seminoles 81‑78, a victory that remains the last home win over Florida State.
As the Volunteers prepare for the December 1 showdown, the blend of seasoned veterans and emerging talent promises a narrative that will add another chapter to a rivalry that has produced memorable finishes and dramatic finishes over the decades.