The Florida Gators had a few missteps in the non-conference season but have turned it on in SEC action. The Gators have yet to lose in the conference and hope to keep that streak intact when they host the Vanderbilt Commodores.
Florida has moved up to the No. 19 national ranking and is looking like the most formidable foe to Kentucky to win the conference title. The Gators are the better team and they have the home court advantage, so there is every reason to believe they will take care of business in this matchup.
At 12 p.m. ET, tune into CBS for live television coverage of this NCAA basketball game on Saturday, January 21, 2017, at the Exactech Arena in Gainesville, Florida.
We'll have NCAA basketball odds at BookMaker.eu available for this and every game on the college basketball Saturday schedule.
Odds at BookMaker.eu
Florida has a record of 14-3 straight up and 10-6 against the spread. The Gators have played in six games at home and have covered in four of them. Florida has been the favorite in all but three of its games and has performed very well, covering in 10 of three attempts.
When the Gators have been an underdog, they have failed to cover in all three attempts, so Florida will be happy to be favored in this one.
Vanderbilt is 8-9 straight up and 9-7 against the spread. The expectations have been low for the Commodores, and while they are below .500, at least they have done a pretty nice job when attempting to cover.
Vandy has gone on the road for four true road games and has covered in three of them. The Commodores have been the underdog seven times this season and have covered three times.
Key Stat
7. Straight wins for Florida, which has really found its groove of late. The Gators limped into SEC play with losses to Duke and Florida State but after a couple of easier tuneups have really kicked into high gear.
Florida has knocked off Arkansas, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia in the SEC, most by double digits. The Gators are averaging 79.0 points per game while allowing 67.1.
They are led by KeVaughn Allen, who is scoring 13.4 points per game while adding 1.4 steals. Canyon Barry is adding 12.4 points per game, while Devin Robinson contributes 11.4 points and 5.1 rebounds per contest.
The Gators have nice scoring balance so Vanderbilt won’t be able to key in on one player to stop.
Player to Watch
Riley LaChance -- Vanderbilt’s junior guard does a little bit of everything, as he is averaging 10.1 points, 4.1 assists and 3.4 rebounds per contest. After a strong freshman season, LaChance didn’t play very well last season but has rebounded nicely.
He is shooting 52.3 percent from the field and a sparkling 55.6 percent from three-point range. LaChance needs to have a big game if the Commodores have designs of springing the upset.
He had 19 points, six rebounds and four assists as Vanderbilt only lost by six points to Kentucky a few games back.
Free College Basketball ATS Picks
Florida certainly seems to be on a collision course with Kentucky for conference supremacy, but can’t slip up beforehand. Vanderbilt has lost four in a row heading into this game, and while it is hanging tough in some games, Florida seems like it shouldn’t have much trouble at home.
The Gators are nationally ranked because of their recent hot streak, and they have played well at home. While Florida should win, keep an eye on the spread. The Gators have allowed teams to hang around of late, and if Vanderbilt can stay within striking distance it will be able to come away with the cover in this showdown.
College Basketball Odds: Florida 76, Vanderbilt 67
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