Florida vs Mississippi State CBB Hoops Handicapping
Sixth-ranked Florida will put its 11-game winning streak on the line on Thursday when they take on Mississippi State who is 11-1 at home. [ad-4468020]
Date/Time: 7 p.m. EST, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014
Venue: Humphrey Coliseum, Starkville, Mississippi
Broadcast: ESPN2
Spread: +14 Mississippi State
Over/Under: OFF
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The Gators (17-2) are starting to look like a national championship contender with its stingy defense that holds opponents to a meager 58.8 points per game (9th) and a potent offense that has helped them defeat six SEC foes by an average of 13.2 points, including Tennessee on Saturday, 67-41.
Florida coach Billy Donovan has his Gators are in near perfect form, after surviving injuries to three starters during their winning streak. Among them are senior forward Casey Prather, Florida’s leading scorer with 16.8 points per game, senior guard Scottie Wilbekin , senior center Patric Young and sophomore guard Michael Frazier II (12.3 points).
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Prather has since averaged 15.7 points and five rebounds in his last three games after missing two contests, while Frazier was named SEC Player of the Week after averaging 17.5 points against Alabama and Tennessee.
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Meanwhile, the Bulldogs (13-6) had their two-game winning streak snapped with an 82-63 loss to in state rival Mississippi on Saturday.
It was a heartbreaking defeat for coach Rick Ray whose offense has been struggling all season long, ranking 202nd in the nation at 70.9 points per game.
Making things worse, sophomore guard Craig Sword who leads the Bulldogs at 13.9 points per game, has only scored a total of 10 in his last two games – four against the Rebels last time out.
Mississippi State is also struggling at the other end – as they did against Mississippi – making it very difficult to win games in the tough SEC.
Adding to their defensive woes will be the added responsibility of trying to defend against highly touted 6-11 Florida forward Chris Walker, who has been cleared to make his debut against the Bulldogs on Thursday, after being cleared by the NCAA following its investigation involving improper benefits.
Free Pick: Florida – The Gators have won three straight over the Bulldogs to lead the series 60-49, and are 5-4 against Mississippi State under head coach Billy Donovan.
And even the Bulldogs only loss at home was a 71-61 decision against Texas Christian in the Big 12-SEC Challenge back on Dec. 5, I just don’t think they have enough to beat the Gators in this one.
