The Kentucky Wildcats are expected to win the SEC once again this year, and halfway through the conference slate are indeed ahead of the pack. However, the Florida Gators are within striking distance, and a win over the Wildcats would pull them even in the loss column.
This is a key game for both sides as they battle for both conference supremacy and a favorable seed in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament. Kentucky has the superior team and should be favored, but the Gators are playing this one at home and hope to pull out the upset.
This war on the floor will go down Saturday, February 4, 2017, at 8:15 p.m. ET at Exactech Arena in Gainesville, Florida. The game will be televised live on ESPN.
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Odds at BookMaker.eu
Florida is 16-5 straight up and 12-8 against the spread. The Gators have played seven home games this season and have covered in three of them. They have not been an underdog very often and haven’t performed very well in that role, failing to cover in four games when getting points. They hope to break through in this one.
Kentucky is 18-4 straight up and 12-10 against the spread. The Wildcats have played in five games on the road this season and have not done too well, covering only one time. Kentucky has not been the underdog yet this season and that is not expected to change here.
Matchup to Watch
Kentucky offense vs. Florida defense -- The Wildcats have one of the most potent offenses in college basketball, averaging 91.3 points per game. However, they will have to work to get that many in this one as Florida is only allowing 66.1 points per contest.
The Wildcats have nice depth and balance, but there are a few players Florida must watch closely. The first is Malik Monk, as he averages a team-high 22.4 points per game and shoots 49.6 percent from the field and 41.2 percent from three-point range.
De’Aaron Fox is another key piece for Kentucky. He is averaging 15.9 points and 5.7 assists. Isaiah Briscoe is the third part of the main contributors and if Florida can keep this trio relatively in check it will have a much better chance at pulling the upset.
Key Stat
Two. That’s how many losses each team has suffered within their past four games, which is surprising considering how good both are.
Florida lost by four points on the road to a ranked South Carolina team and then by two points to Vanderbilt. It was tough luck losing a pair of close games back-to-back, but the Gators have bounced back with two straight wins against LSU and Oklahoma to improve to 6-2 in the conference.
Kentucky lost a shocker to Tennessee by two points and then was beaten in a big-time clash against Kansas. The Wildcats ended that mini lull with a win over Georgia last time out and sits at 8-1 in the SEC.
Free College Basketball ATS Picks
Kentucky has been the class of the conference for years and that doesn’t seem to be changing this year. Even if Florida can pull off this upset, odds are the Wildcats will be on top by the end of the season.
But if the Gators can’t win this one at home, they could be out of the running already. Kentucky is the better team, but Florida will be intent on playing tough and hoping to win this one with the benefit of the home crowd.
This should be a competitive matchup, but Kentucky is the pick to pull it out. Watch the spread closely, though, because Florida should keep this one close and could cover.
College Basketball Odds: Kentucky 83, Florida 77
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