Add another one to the win column for No. 1 Kentucky. The Wildcats fended off late-surging Georgia in a 69-58 win on Tuesday to improve to a sparkling 22-0 record this season.
If there’s one team that can finally slow down Kentucky, though, it may be the Florida Gators. Florida swept Kentucky in three games last season en route to clinching the No. 1 seed in the tournament. While they have mostly struggled this season, a clash against their SEC rivals may be the spark Florida needs to play their best ball.
Will Kentucky remain undefeated? Read on as we give you a complete preview of this exciting SEC affair. For more college hoops action, check out our complete preview of the top-of-the-table clash between Louisville and Virginia.
[sc:MarchMadness ]Kentucky Wildcats vs. Florida Gators NCAA Basketball Preview
Where: Stephen C. O’Connell Center, Florida
When: Saturday, February 7, 9:00 PM ET
Line: Kentucky Wildcats at Florida Gators – view all NCAA Basketball lines
Betting on the Kentucky Wildcats
Kentucky’s top two scorers chose the exact same time to struggle from the field. Aaron Harrison missed all four of his field goal attempts, while the sharpshooting Devin Booker went 1-for-6 from three-point range against Georgia. It didn’t matter as Aaron’s twin brother more than picked up the slack to lead Kentucky.
[sc:NCAAB240banner ]Andrew Harrison entered Tuesday’s game shooting just 34 percent from the floor this season, the worst among Kentucky starters. His struggles didn’t stop him from discovering his stroke against Georgia. Harrison went 8-for-16 (3-for-6 from downtown) for a season-high 23 points, while picking up seven dimes. He had some help from Karl-Anthony Towns (15 points and 13 rebounds) down the stretch.
Harrison’s outside shots and playmaking coupled with Towns’ ability to attack the basket and control the boards may be enough to get Kentucky past their opponents.
For the Wildcats to regularly blow away their competition, they’ll need much more production from the rest of the supporting cast. Booker in particular can rediscover his outside shot against a Florida team which ranks 194th in the nation in three-point defense. In the four games prior to his off-night against Georgia, Booker had shot 50 percent from three-point range.
What would make the Wildcats even more devastating is if both Harrison brothers click on offense. Andrew averaged 12.7 points over three games against a much tougher Florida side last season, while Aaron has averaged 12 points per conference game this season.
Kentucky is 3-6 ATS in conference play this season.
Riding the Kentucky hype-train? Create a betting account now and back the Wildcats in their bid for the 2015 NCAA Championship.
Betting on the Florida Gators
How the mighty have fallen. Even with the seniors that led Florida to the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament last season gone, the Gators still entered this season No. 7 in the nation. However, a string of early losses have seen them fall out of the top 25 altogether.
Following a 67-61 loss to Vanderbilt on Tuesday, the Gators have now dropped four of their last six games. They’re now 5-4 in conference play after going undefeated in the SEC last season. Despite their record, Florida can still provide quite a challenge for No. 1 Kentucky.
Florida has solid defense, which becomes more prominent when they play as the home team. The Gators have allowed only 54.6 points per home game and have limited opponents to 37.8 percent shooting. Part of their success may be attributed to their ability to take away passing lanes as well as force turnovers. Florida has forced opponents to a 0.673 assist/turnover ratio, eighth in the nation.
While they limit their opponents’ production, the Gators can then pile on the points using the core of Michael Frazier II, Kasey Hill and Dorian Finney-Smith. Frazier was a thorn on Kentucky’s side last season as he shot 47 percent from three-point range over three games. He’s also Florida’s leading scorer this season averaging 13.4 points per game.
Finding Frazier open will be Hill’s responsibility. Hill is Florida’s main set up man with 4.1 assists per game this season. The Gators also have an answer for Kentucky’s big men with Finney-Smith. The 6’8” Gators forward has dominated the frontcourt in conference play, averaging 12.3 points and six rebounds against SEC opponents.
The Gators are 4-2 ATS in their last six games against Kentucky.
Writer’s Prediction
The Wildcats find themselves in another tight game. Take Florida to cover.
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