Kentucky Wildcats vs. Florida Gators Preview
Where: O’Connell Center, Gainesville
When: Saturday, February 4, 8:15 PM ET
Line: Kentucky Wildcats vs. Florida Gators – view all NCAAB lines
TV Broadcast: ESPN
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Betting on the Kentucky Wildcats (18-4, 8-1 SEC)
It’s an ugly win but it’s still a win for Kentucky, which averted losing three in a row by outlasting Georgia in overtime on Tuesday, 90-81. Another loss could’ve likely slid further down the rankings the Wildcats who lost back to back to Kansas and Tennessee in the previous three contests.
Kentucky was saved by Malik Monk’s outstanding performance, as the freshman erupted for 37 points on 10-for-21 shooting with seven threes. Isaiah Briscoe, meanwhile, posted 23 points and 11 rebounds. The Wildcats’ rebounding was crucial in their win, outmuscling the Bulldogs on the glass, 45-32, which includes 17 offensive rebounds.
Kentucky should win the rebounding battle again against Florida, a team that averages 36.0 RPG. Kentucky is 11th in the nation with 40.8 boards, thanks in large part to the pair of Edrice Adebayo (6.8 RPG) and Wenyen Gabriel (6.9 RPG).
De’Aaron Fox, Kentucky’s second leading scorer missed the Georgia game due to an illness, but he should be back in harness this Saturday to lend his 15.9 PPG production.
Kentucky is 5-0 SU and 4-1 ATS in its last five meetings with Florida.
Betting on the Florida Gators (17-5, 7-2 SEC)
The Gators will walk into Saturday’s showdown with Kentucky with some measure of confidence after beating its last three opponents by an average margin of 35.3 points. That’s not going to happen against a loaded team like Kentucky, but the momentum the Gators are riding right now has put them in a groove.
Florida, which produces 78.7 PPG, was last seen on the court taking Missouri to the woodshed with a 93-54 home win on Thursday. KeVaughn Allen (13.6 PPG) spearheaded the team with 15 points, while Canyon Berry provided 17 points off the bench. Berry is the second best scorer for Florida, as he averages 12.6 PPG on the season. Having him come off the bench like he always does gives Florida a potent second unit, one that’s going to be crucial in keeping in step with the high-scoring Kentucky squad that averages 91.3 PPG.
Florida likes to force opponents into committing miscues, as the Gators get 8.1 steals per contest. Disrupting Kentucky’s backcourt of Monk, De’Aaron Fox, and Isaiah Briscoe should slow down Kentucky’s offense.
Florida is 8-2 SU and 6-4 ATS in its last 10 home games.
Writer’s Prediction
Kentucky wins, 84-76.
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