Southeastern foes will lock horns when the Georgia Bulldogs (14-9) challenge the Florida Gators (16-9) at Stegeman Coliseum. Action gets underway at 9:00 pm ET on Tuesday, Feb. 16.
The Bulldogs beat Mississippi State 66-57 on Saturday. Charles Mann fueled the Bulldogs with 21 points, seven rebounds, and one steal. The Gators, meanwhile, are coming off a 61-55 loss against Alabama on Saturday. Dorian Finney-Smith had a good game for Florida, accumulating 12 points, nine rebounds, and two blocks.
Finney-Smith has been on a tear over the last five games for the Gators, averaging 19.6 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.0 assist, 0.8 blocks, and 2.2 three-pointers.
This will be the second matchup of the season between these two teams. The Gators won the first game 77-63. Despite the loss, Yante Maten had a standout performance with 20 points, seven rebounds, one assist, and one block.
The Bulldogs are hoping to build on their records of 14-9 Straight Up (SU) and 13-10 Against The Spread (ATS). Georgia has averaged 75.1 points per game over the last 10 games, higher than its season average of 69.3. Georgia’s defense can be considered one of the best in the country. The Bulldogs allow a .378 opponent field-goal percentage, one of the lowest shooting rates in the country. The Bulldogs are the 24th-best team in the country at blocking shots, averaging 5.3 blocks per game.
As for their opponent, the Gators have records of 13-10-1 ATS and 16-9 SU. Florida performed well ATS during its last 10 games, earning a 7-3 record. The Gators will be looking to pick it up in this one after recent offensive struggles. In their most recent 10 games, their scoring has dropped to 66.8 PPG, compared to 69.3 for the duration of the season. The Gators have controlled the offensive glass with an average of 13.6 offensive rebounds per game, 18th in the country. Switching gears to the Florida defense, the Gators allow just 66.4 points per game, ranking them 49th in the nation. The Florida defense has been a problem for competitors, allowing only .399 shooting from the field to its opponents.
The Gators’ win over Georgia in their last clash bumped their SU record over their most recent meetings to 7-3. The Gators also lead the matchup ATS with a record of 7-3. Florida held the edge in field goals, rebounds, and three-pointers three times, while Georgia was never able to do so in their most recent five games.
Predictions: SU Winner – Fla, ATS Winner – Fla
Notes
Georgia scores an average of just 69.3 points per game (ranked 201st). Florida ranks 49th in points allowed, giving up 66.4 points per game.
Georgia scores just 71.1 points per home game (ranked 213th). Florida ranks 21st in points allowed on the road, giving up 65.9 points.
The Florida Gators have a defensive rating of 95.9 (ranked 34th), while the Georgia Bulldogs have an offensive rating of 101.7 (ranked 252nd).
Florida beats Georgia in both possessions per game and points per possession. The Gators average 69.2 possessions and 1.066 points per possession, while the Bulldogs average 68.2 possessions with 1.017 points per possession.
Florida has an average effective field goal percentage of 48.2%. Georgia is a subpar 1-6 when opponents have a similar or higher effective field goal percentage.
Georgia, the 24th-ranked team in blocked shots, registers an average of 5.3 per game. Florida ranks 81st with 4.3.
Georgia ranks 172nd in offensive rebounds, while Florida ranks 62nd in defensive rebounds.
Georgia records 5.3 steals per game. Florida is 8-6 when giving up at least 5 steals.
