Gators vs Wildcats CBB Basketball Spread/Handicapping
The Gators have already clinched the SEC but they haven’t been as sharp down the stretch as expected. They are not quite the same team on the road as they are at home which may be part of the reason they are not being talked about as a title contender the way they were a month ago.
#11 Florida Gators (24-5) vs Kentucky Wildcats (20-9)
Saturday March 9
Rupp Arena – Lexington, KY
12:00PM
Moneyline: No ML currently listed.
Spread: Florida -5 at TOPBET
O/U: 132
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Florida
If they want to get back up to being in the conversation for a #1 seed then they need to win out including the SEC tournament.
What has happened to guard Kenny Boynton this season? He is now only tied for the scoring lead on the team with a meagre 12.6ppg. I used to think he could erupt at any moment but now I am not so sure. On the other hand, fellow leading scorer Mike Rosario, has become a more consistent contributor, as has Scottie Wilbekin, giving the Gators one of the best backcourts anywhere, especially because they have experience.
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The Gators are by far the better team so it all comes down to their motivation for this one. If they are in the right mind set they should win as they warm up for the conference tournament – and could win easily. -5 is an easy number to cover, especially for this veteran, solid shooting team. One of the better values on Saturday.
Kentucky
Losing by 10 to Georgia this week really hurt the Wildcat’s chances of making the Big Dance. The loss drops them into a tie for second in the SEC with 4 other teams, two of whom have better records than Kentucky. A win over Florida to close and a win or two next week would show the Selection Committee that this can be a fearsome team in the tournament. A loss and an early exit spell NIT bid. [ad-6571516]
Nerlens Noel was a consistent and dominant performer. Especially on the defensive end. Since his injury fellow freshman Willie Cauley-Stein has really stepped up including double-doubles in the last two games. Cauley-Stein is a high energy player and I like what his increased playing time is doing for the team. Some of the more highly touted prospects on the Cats, like Alex Poythress, would do well to play with his sense of urgency
Kentucky needs this one to show they can be a threat in the Tournament. If they stumble again like they did earlier in the week than it will be easy for the selection committee to dismiss them. I do not see this as a close game so if you think Cal can get his guys to play when it matters most then go for Kentucky.
Spread Pick: Florida -5
O/U Pick: Over
Score Prediction: Florida 74 – Kentucky 67
