Preview: Florida State Seminoles at Syracuse Orange SYRACUSE, N.Y. (Interstat) — A surging Syracuse women’s basketball team looks to rebound from its first loss in nearly a month when it hosts struggling Florida State in an Atlantic Coast Conference matchup on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, at the Carrier Dome. The Orange (11-2) saw a seven-game win streak snapped in a 71-51 home loss to Duke on Dec. 28. Prior to that, Syracuse had been dominant, winning its previous five games by an average of 32.2 points. Guard Dominique Darius has been a catalyst, averaging 13.5 points and 4.8 assists per game. She scored 18 points in the loss to Duke. Florida State (5-9) enters having lost five of its last six, with the lone victory a decisive 89-41 win over South Carolina State on Dec. 20. The Seminoles’ conference losses have been lopsided, falling by 35 to Notre Dame and 25 to Virginia Tech in that stretch. The game features a contrast in offensive production. Syracuse averages 74.2 points per game, while Florida State scores just 68.1 on average and has been held under 70 points in seven of its nine losses. A key matchup will be Florida State forward Jasmine Shavers against Syracuse’s interior defense. Shavers is coming off a career-best 29-point, 12-rebound performance against South Carolina State, but was limited to two points in 21 minutes in the Seminoles’ loss to Notre Dame. Syracuse has won its last two meetings against Florida State. The Orange will rely on its balanced scoring and home-court advantage at the Carrier Dome, where they are 7-1 this season. Florida State, seeking its first ACC win, will need a consistent performance from Shavers and improved defensive intensity to challenge the Orange. The game tips off at 7 p.m. EST. Syracuse travels to Wake Forest on Jan. 4, while Florida State hosts Virginia on the same date.