St. Bonaventure passed its first test in the tournament with a win over UCLA in the First Four. They get a short rest before facing Florida this Friday in Dallas. Will the glass slipper still fit for the Bonnies? Or will the Gators stop St. Bonaventure from playing the Cinderella role?Register here to make your pick.
Betting Preview for the St. Bonaventure Bonnies vs Florida Gators College Basketball Game on March 15, 2018
The Bonnies knocked out UCLA in the First Four round with a 65-58 win, and that’s despite a salty shooting night from their best player, Jaylen Adams. Adams finished the regular season with 19.8 points per game, but only had eight points on 2-for-16 shooting from the field. The Bonnies’ defense made a great difference, though, as they forced UCLA to commit 20 turnovers. The Bonnies could be a nightmare on defense, as they were second in the Atlantic 10 with 14.2 turnovers forced per game. Matt Mobley (18.5 PPG), Adams’ backcourt partner, had a better performance against UCLA, as he had 14 points. Courtney Stockard (12.9 PPG), meanwhile, was the one who saved the day for the Bonnie with his 26 points. All three will have to click against Florida, which has a defense that can’t be taken lightly.
Betting on the Florida Gators (20-12)
Any team that has beaten Gonzaga and Cincinnati this season deserves mad respect. Florida did that earlier in the season, and the Gators could be the sleeper who could get hot at just the right moment. The Gators went 3-1 SU in their last four games, including three-straight wins versus Auburn, Alabama, and Kentucky. They shoot the ball well from distance as they make 9.1 threes per game on 37.5 percent shooting. There are six players on the Gators’ roster that shoots better than 39 percent from beyond the arc. Leading scorer Jalen Hudson averages 15.3 points per game and hits 45.5 percent from the three-point area. Florida will force its opponents to stretch its defense, though the Gators don’t seem to capitalize on that much as they shoot only 47.4 percent on their two-point shots. Speaking of defense, Florida allows 69.4 points per game.
Writer’s Prediction
St. Bonaventure continues to ride its pumpkin ride into the second round with an upset 74-71 win.
