Missouri Tigers vs. Florida Gators Preview
Where: Exactech Arena — Gainesville, Florida
When: Thursday, February 2, 2017, 7:00 PM ET
Line: Missouri Tigers (+22) vs. Florida Gators (-22) – view all NCAA Basketball lines
TV Broadcast: ESPN2
College Basketball News and Previews
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- Gonzaga Bulldogs vs. South Carolina Gamecocks Preview
- North Carolina Tar Heels vs. Oregon Ducks Preview
Betting on the Missouri Tigers (5-15, 0-8 SEC)
Point Spread: +22
Being labeled as a 22-point underdog should be enough to tell you how awful the situation is in Missouri.
The Tigers opened the season respectably, winning five of their first eight games. But since then, they’ve dropped the next 12 games and 13-straight contests against SEC foes. They’re also 0-8 this season in conference play.
And if you think those losing streaks are bad, Missouri’s road record is far worse. This program has lost 30-consecutive road games dating all the way back to 2014. Seeing that come to an end later against No. 24 Florida would arguably be the biggest upset of the year.
For that to happen though, the Tigers need to up their scoring and play solid defense. They’re averaging only 69.3 points per game this season, while allowing 66.1 points to opponents. In their previous game against then-No. 23 South Carolina Saturday night, Missouri put together just 53 points on 35.7 percent shooting, including a dismal 5.9 percent from three.
It was nice to see Russell Woods sustain his improved play, however. The senior forward had a team-high and career-best 18 points with eight rebounds against the Gamecocks. He’s now scored in double figures in three of his last four games.
Betting on the Florida Gators (16-5, 6-2 SEC)
Point Spread: -22
No. 24 Florida is coming off two-straight blowout victories at LSU and Oklahoma. The Gators offense amassed close to 200 points combined in those wins, including a season-high 106 points on 56.3 percent shooting versus the Tigers.
Another lopsided win seems imminent against Missouri, losers of 12 straight and a team that’s still searching for its first SEC win. Florida should be able to shoot its way to its third win in a row through KeVaughn Allen, Canyon Barry and Devin Robinson.
Those three lead the Gators in scoring, with Allen’s 13.6 points per contest the highest. He was held to just eight points in the win over Oklahoma, but this kid can get hot when given enough space and open looks. He had 29 points on 10-of-18 shooting along with five treys despite the loss against Vanderbilt last month.
Writer’s Prediction
Florida (-22) wins but fails to cover.
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