FSU Senior Class Skips NIT, Ends Season on Their Terms

0:00On March 16, Florida State Men's basketball has decided to skip the 2026 National Invitation Tournament. The team senior class voted to turn down any postseason invite outside the NCAA Tournament. This wraps up a surprising season that ended with an 18 wins 15 losses record. The choice followed a heartbreaking 80-79 quarterfinal loss to top-seated Duke in the ACC Tournament. Florida State nearly pulled off the upset, rallying from a big deficit late, but a buzzer-beating three-pointer just missed. The four key seniors, Robert McCray the fifth, Le J. Jones, Chancy Wiggins, and Alex Steen, and a strong push in the second half of the year. They wanted to end on their terms after proving themselves on a big stage, with no interest in a consolation event. Under first year coach Jason Lux, the Seminole's turn things around dramatically. They started Atlantic Coast Conference Play 0-5, but surged to rank 26 nationally over the final two months, winning five straight. Road gains for the first time since 1992.

1:04This group leads behind a rebuild culture and upward momentum for the program, even without the fairy tale finish they chased.