Get ready for a historic showdown in Tampa! Florida State and Florida A&M are set to reignite their cross-town rivalry by opening the 2026-27 basketball season against each other. According to a report from the Associated Press' Mark Long, the matchup will headline a doubleheader in Tampa that also features Florida taking on Miami—making it a must-watch night for college hoops fans in the Sunshine State.

This renewal comes after the two programs took a tentative step forward last season with an exhibition game. It marked the first on-court meeting between the schools since a controversial 1991 contest that ended in a forfeit following a brawl. The irony? The player who scored the layup that sparked that infamous incident was none other than Charlie Ward—who now serves as Florida A&M's head coach.

Ward's Rattlers are building momentum after a solid 15-16 season (11-7 in SWAC play), finishing tied for second in the conference and coming within three points of reaching the championship game. For Florida State, the series has been all Seminoles historically, with an undefeated 5-0 record. The last fully completed game dates back to December 7, 1982, when FSU edged out an 81-79 victory.

As these two Tallahassee neighbors prepare to clash in Tampa, fans can expect a charged atmosphere—one that blends history, rivalry, and the promise of a new chapter. Whether you're repping garnet and gold or orange and green, this is a game you won't want to miss.