The top-ranked Florida Gators welcome in the No. 25 Kentucky Wildcats today in SEC college basketball action. The game is scheduled for a 12 p.m. start time and it will be televised nationally on CBS. Currently the odds for the game have Florida favored by a couple of possessions in this game.
Florida has won 22 straight games and have risen to the top spot in the rankings. They are playing some great basketball now and will look today to end the conference season unblemished. The Gators have yet to lose at home this season, either, sporting a 16-0 record to date. Defense has been the key for Billy Donovan's team this season, allowing just over 58 points per game to there opponents.
Indeed, a victory here would put the Gators at 18-0 in SEC play, a first for the league, and a first for Florida as well. This is the 29th season the SEC has used an 18-game schedule, and the Gators have a chance to become the first team to run the table. The Gators have a 32-game home win streak, too. But, the last SEC team not named Kentucky to go unbeaten in conference play was Alabama in 1956. That's quite a long time.
Donovan's team has a load of seniors on the squad that have made three straight Elite Eight appearances. Patric Young, Scottie Wilbekin, Casey Prather and Will Yeguete have combined for 72 percent of the Gators' scoring this season and all will be playing in their final home game in this one.
Florida won the first matchup between these schools back in January. Kentucky had won 22 straight games at home prior to that loss back on Feb. 15. The Wildcats had built a decent lead in that game but were out-scored 31-14 in the final 10 minutes in that game.
Wildcat big men Julius Randle and Willie Cauley-Stein are going to need big games in order to hang with Florida in this one. The Gators are very good at playing on the interior and rebound the basketball well. But Kentucky is one of the best rebounding team in the country, so if they are able to get after the Gators on the boards they'll probably hang around in this one.
The Gators have an edge in experience in this one and they have a lot going for them in this contest. It should be a fun one to watch, but we like Florida and their experience at multiple positions to get this one done. Florida is going to run the table in the SEC.
Free Pick: Florida 70, Kentucky 60
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