Florida Gators vs Kentucky Wildcats Predictions, Picks, Odds, and NCAA Basketball Betting Preview – February 22 2020

The Florida Gators can be considered as one of the most frustrating teams in the nation this season. They have a talented roster but just couldn’t muster the consistency expected of a team like theirs. The Kentucky Wildcats are a talented bunch, too, so expect an entertaining battle down in Lexington this coming Saturday. The Gators and the Wildcats are +10000 and +2300 to win the national title, respectively.

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Betting Preview for the Florida Gators vs Kentucky Wildcats NCAA College Basketball Game on February 22 2020

Where: Rupp Arena, Lexington

When: Saturday, February 22, 2020, 6:00 PM ET

Line: Florida Gators (Odds) vs. Kentucky Wildcats (Odds) – view all 2020 NCAAB lines

TV Broadcast: ESPN

Betting on the Florida Gators (17-9 Overall / 9-4 Conference)

It’s another chance for the Gators to prove that they have finally gotten it together. Florida has won all of its last three games, beating the Texas A&M Aggies, Vanderbilt Commodores, and the Arkansas Razorbacks over that span. However, none of those teams are going to the tournament unless one of them miraculously wins the SEC tournament. Against Kentucky, the Gators can show how serious of a contender they are. Kerry Blackshear Jr., the Gators’ prized transferee from Virginia Tech, scored just two points in their 73-59 win over Arkansas at home last Tuesday after spending only 12 minutes on the floor due to early foul trouble. The Gators can afford him sitting down in long stretches against weaker opponents like the Razorbacks, but they are going to need a lot in the Kentucky game. Blackshear is averaging 13.6 points and 7.6 rebounds per game. Other sources of scoring for Florida is Keyontae Johnson, who unloaded 24 points against Arkansas.

The Gators are 3-0 against the spread (ATS)in their last three games.

The total has gone 5-2 in Florida’s last seven games away from Gainesville.

Betting on the Kentucky Wildcats (21-5 Overall / 11-2 Conference)

The Wildcats are coming off an exhilarating 79-76 road win over the LSU Tigers in Baton Rouge last Tuesday. Kentucky was led by Immanuel Quickley’s 21 points, while its defense kept the Wildcats afloat during bad offensive stretches. The Wildcats held the Tigers down to only 39.4 percent shooting from the field and swatted away 11 blocks. The Wildcats were beaten on the glass, 45-33, but shot close to 50 percent from the floor and hit 9 of 18 of their 3-point attempts. Rebounding should be an easier task this time around for Kentucky, as the Gators are just eighth in the SEC in rebounds. On the flip side, the Wildcats are sixth in the conference with 37.8 rebounds per contest. Kentucky also has the second-most efficient offense in the SEC with 110.4 points per 100 possessions. The Wildcats are lengthy and laden with athletic players who can create shots of their own and could pose problems for the Gators’ defense.

The Wildcats are 4-1 ATS in their last five games.

The total has hit the under in two of Kentucky’s last three games.

Writer’s Prediction

Kentucky wins, 74-71.

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