Frenetic and fun to watch, the Florida State men’s basketball team showed it can hang with anyone on Thursday night. And that includes the No. 15 team in the AP’s preseason poll.

Despite coming up short 109-105 to Alabama, the Seminoles pushed the pace, shot 3-pointers at will and showed a glimpse of what they will offer in the 2025-26 season. First-year coach Luke Loucks wanted a challenge, got one and the Seminoles held their own in the Ballin in Boutwell tournament at Birmingham.

Robert McCray V scored 26 points on 7 of 14 shooting from the floor and 9 of 13 from the free-throw line.

Chauncey Wiggins scored 16 points and pulled down 11 rebounds. He drilled 4 of 11 3-pointers.

Lajae Jones had 15 points, including a trio of 3-pointers. Jones had 10 rebounds and three assists.

Kobe Magee added 14 points on 5 of 12 shooting. He shot 3 of 10 from beyond the arc.

Alex Steen had six points and nine rebounds.

FSU shot 32 of 79 (40.5 percent) from the floor and 14 of 43 (32.6 percent) from 3-point range. The Seminoles also won the rebounding edge vs. Alabama 46-41.

Cam Miles (10 points), Thomas Bassong (eight points) and Alier Maluk (three points) fouled out.

Labaron Philon led Alabama with 28 points on 8 of 12 shooting and 9 of 10 from the free-throw line. Taylor Bol Bowen, who transferred from FSU to Alabama, had 14 points.

Up next

FSU will play host to Florida A&M on Oct. 26 at 4 p.m. The Rattlers are now coached by Charlie Ward.

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