The first game of this weekend’s SEC/Big 12 Challenge will highlight two teams that have never faced each other on the basketball court. The Florida Gators have been one of college basketball’s top programs over the last decade. However, Mike White is still looking to move out of the shadow of Billy Donovan and establish himself as a great coach in his own right. He can take another baby step in that direction with a win over the Baylor Bears on Saturday.
This war on the floor will go down Saturday, January 27, 2018, at 12 p.m. ET at Exactech Arena in Gainesville, Florida. The game will be televised live on ESPN. We'll have NCAA basketball odds at BookMaker.eu available for this and every game on the college basketball Saturday schedule.
Opening College Basketball Odds at BookMaker.eu
Baylor is having a down year. The Bears have been one of the better teams in the Big 12 during this decade, but have not looked like the same team this year. They have already lost six times in conference and are sitting at 12-8 overall. However, they have been able to cover in four of their last six.
Unfortunately, the Bears have been a mess away from home. Baylor has yet to win a road game and were hammered on the road by Iowa State and Texas Tech. The Bears did hang tough with West Virginia and Kansas to their credit though. Under has cashed in five of the team’s last six and in all five of their road games this year.
Florida has been riding high in recent weeks. The Gators have re-entered the rankings and might just be the best team in the SEC at this point in the season. They are 6-1 in conference and have covered in five of their last six, with the long exception being an outright loss as a favorite to Ole Miss away from home.
Key Stat
There’s no secret to what Florida is going to do. The Gators have John Egbunu and three other frontcourt players injured, and will need to rely on their guards in order to get the win.
In particular, Florida has needed to be able to shoot the three. UF has lived and died by the three all year long, and the inability to hit from range is what killed this team during a poor stretch in mid-December.
Jalen Hudson, Egor Koulechov, and Chris Chiozza have led the way in that department for the Gators this season. All three guards are hitting at least 39 percent from three, and that has made a huge difference. This team is averaging 25 three-point attempts per game and will continue to fire away from downtown.
Matchup to Watch
Baylor’s size could give it a chance to win this game. The Bears have a very tall frontcourt led by Jo Lual-Acuil Jr. Lual-Acuil has been very sharp for the team this year. He is averaging 15.5 PPG and is hitting better than 51 percent from the floor. Additionally, he has been able to clean up on the glass and is almost averaging a double-double an outing.
Terry Maston should play a considerable amount in this game. The Bears have been a little sparing with Maston since he broke his right hand, but he needs to dominate in this one. Baylor’s best chance here is by winning the interior battle and Maston can do that against Florida’s undersized front.
Free College Basketball ATS Picks
The Bears above average defense will keep them alive in this one. Although they will not be entering this game on a high note, Baylor will be able to get the cover thanks to a solid defensive effort. They won’t allow second-chance baskets, and Florida won’t be able to shoot accurately enough to get the cover.
College Basketball Odds: Florida 74, Baylor 70
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