Clemson Tigers fall short against Florida State Seminoles

Clemson fails to cover the 9-point spread in home loss to rival Florida State

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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In a highly anticipated ACC matchup, the Clemson Tigers hosted the Florida State Seminoles on February 21, 2026. Clemson entered the game as a 9-point favorite at home, but ultimately fell short, losing to their conference rival Florida State.

Why it matters

This game had major implications for the ACC standings and NCAA Tournament seeding. Both teams were ranked in the Top 25, making this an important conference clash between two powerhouse programs.

The details

Clemson was unable to cover the 9-point spread, despite playing at home. The final score was 72-68, with Florida State coming out on top. This result was a disappointment for the Clemson faithful, who were hoping to see their team make a statement win against a top opponent.

  • The game was played on February 21, 2026.

The players

Florida State Seminoles

A Division I college basketball team that competes in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Clemson Tigers

A Division I college basketball team that also competes in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

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What they’re saying

“We knew this was going to be a tough game against a very good Florida State team. While we're disappointed we couldn't cover the spread, I'm proud of the effort our guys put forth.”

— Brad Brownell, Clemson Tigers Head Coach (Clemson Athletics)

What’s next

Clemson will look to bounce back in their next ACC matchup, while Florida State will try to build on this important road win.

The takeaway

This close loss for Clemson highlights the parity in the ACC this season, as even highly ranked teams are struggling to consistently cover large spreads against conference rivals.