The SEC vs. Big 12 Challenge takes center stage on Saturday as the two conferences gear up for 10 head-to-head matchups. One of the more intriguing showdowns features the Florida Gators squaring off against the Kansas State Wildcats. Florida enters the game at 12-8 (11-9 ATS) while Kansas State is 17-3 (15-5 ATS). Tipoff is scheduled for 6:00 ET from the Bramlage Coliseum in Manhattan, KS.
Castleton has been the most efficient player for Florida this season, averaging 15.0 points per game, snagging 7.6 rebounds per contest, averaging 1.0 steals per game, and recording 3.2 blocks per game. Will Richard is the other notable scorer on the Gators, averaging 10.2 points per game.
Florida comes into Saturday’s tilt ranked 44th in the KenPom rankings, posting an adjusted efficiency margin of +15.05. What’s really stood out for the Gators this year has been their defense, which is allowing just 91.4 points per 100 possessions (12th). Offensively, Florida is averaging 72.8 points per game and shooting 44.1% from the field as a team.
The duo of Nowell and Johnson have been the battery for Kansas State all year. Johnson leads the team with 18.3 points per game and he’s also the leader in rebounds (7.5 RPG). Nowell is putting up 17.1 points per game and leads the team in assists (8.2 APG) and steals (2.3 SPG).
The Wildcats are currently ranked 5th in the AP Poll but reside in 25th according to the KenPom metrics. Their biggest strength has been their offense, which is 30th in the country, scoring 113.6 points per 100 possessions. Overall, the Cats are averaging 77.8 points per game and shooting 46.7% from the field as a team.
Call me crazy, but I’m going to ride with the Florida Gators to cover on Saturday night. This team has two straight wins and they’ve won five of their last six games overall. They’ve covered the spread in their last five games and I expect they’ll keep this road contest close, if not challenge the Wildcats and possibly come away with an outright win.
In a sport where offense can oftentimes fail on the road, look for Florida to rely on its excellent defense. The Gators are 12th overall in adjusted defensive efficiency, allowing just 91.4 points per 100 possessions. They’re currently 21st in defensive shooting, limiting opponents to a 39.8% field goal percentage. To put that into context, only 23 teams in the country hold their opponents under 40.0%. Look for this Gator defense to be on display on Saturday and keep them in the game down the stretch.
Prediction: Florida Gators To Cover
Gators Secure Second Straight Win
Florida cruised to an easy win over the visiting South Carolina Gamecocks on Wednesday night. The 81-60 victory pushed the Gators to 5-3 in SEC play and they’ve now won two straight games. The 21-point margin was enough to cover the -15.5-point line set by the oddsmakers while the 141 points cleared the 135.5-point pregame mark. As for individual efforts, five players recorded double-digit scoring games, with Colin Castleton leading the way with 18 points.Castleton has been the most efficient player for Florida this season, averaging 15.0 points per game, snagging 7.6 rebounds per contest, averaging 1.0 steals per game, and recording 3.2 blocks per game. Will Richard is the other notable scorer on the Gators, averaging 10.2 points per game.
Florida comes into Saturday’s tilt ranked 44th in the KenPom rankings, posting an adjusted efficiency margin of +15.05. What’s really stood out for the Gators this year has been their defense, which is allowing just 91.4 points per 100 possessions (12th). Offensively, Florida is averaging 72.8 points per game and shooting 44.1% from the field as a team.
Wildcats Drop Tough Road Game vs. Cyclones
Two of Kansas State’s three losses have come over their last four games. However, it’s worth noting that these weren’t letdowns, as they dropped an 80-76 road matchup against #12 Iowa State on Tuesday and an 82-68 road contest to #17 TCU last week. Fifth-ranked Kansas State covered the +5.5-point spread and the 156 combined points weren’t a sweat for over-bettors, clearing the 132.5-point pregame threshold. Markquis Nowell led the way for K-State, dropping 23 points on a 6-17 (35.3%) shooting night. Keyontae Johnson notched a double-double, scoring 15 points and grabbing 10 rebounds.The duo of Nowell and Johnson have been the battery for Kansas State all year. Johnson leads the team with 18.3 points per game and he’s also the leader in rebounds (7.5 RPG). Nowell is putting up 17.1 points per game and leads the team in assists (8.2 APG) and steals (2.3 SPG).
The Wildcats are currently ranked 5th in the AP Poll but reside in 25th according to the KenPom metrics. Their biggest strength has been their offense, which is 30th in the country, scoring 113.6 points per 100 possessions. Overall, the Cats are averaging 77.8 points per game and shooting 46.7% from the field as a team.
Call me crazy, but I’m going to ride with the Florida Gators to cover on Saturday night. This team has two straight wins and they’ve won five of their last six games overall. They’ve covered the spread in their last five games and I expect they’ll keep this road contest close, if not challenge the Wildcats and possibly come away with an outright win.
In a sport where offense can oftentimes fail on the road, look for Florida to rely on its excellent defense. The Gators are 12th overall in adjusted defensive efficiency, allowing just 91.4 points per 100 possessions. They’re currently 21st in defensive shooting, limiting opponents to a 39.8% field goal percentage. To put that into context, only 23 teams in the country hold their opponents under 40.0%. Look for this Gator defense to be on display on Saturday and keep them in the game down the stretch.
Prediction: Florida Gators To Cover
