Offense meets defense when the Florida Gators (14-5, 6-1 SEC) welcome the South Carolina Gamecocks (12-7, 3-4 SEC) to Stephen C. O’Connell Center. The game can be seen on SEC Network at 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday, January 24, 2018.
Florida is a 10.5-point favorite on the opening line, while the Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 140.5 points.
South Carolina Gamecocks at Florida Gators Betting Prediction
The Gamecocks are trying to rebound after their 70-63 loss to the No. 21 Tennessee Volunteers in their last game. Tennessee’s free throw rate was their biggest strength over South Carolina. The Volunteers had a rate of 0.475 (above their season average of 0.288), while the Gamecocks posted a mark of 0.347. Wesley Myers led South Carolina in scoring with 16 points on 5-for-10 shooting.
In the Gators’ last game, they edged the No. 18 Kentucky Wildcats, 66-64. Florida’s 8.3 turnover percentage was their biggest advantage over Kentucky, who had a mark of 19.5. The Gators’ mark was better than their season average of 12.2. With 13 points, eight assists and six rebounds, Florida’s Chris Chiozza played well.
This showdown pits one of the NCAA’s top offenses against one of its elite defenses as Florida ranks 29th in offensive efficiency and South Carolina is 27th in defensive efficiency.
South Carolina has a solid 12-7 straight up (SU) record, but they struggle covering the spread (8-9-1 against the spread (ATS)). Gamecocks games tend to finish under the total (55.6 percent).
Meanwhile, Florida is 14-5 SU and 10-8 ATS. Vegas has been spot on when setting the total of Gators games, with an even split between overs and unders.
After the Gamecocks won two out of three contests against the Gators last season, these teams will go head-to-head for the first time this year. In the last contest, South Carolina won 77-70. The Gamecocks made 23 of their 31 free throws (74.2 percent) and had a much better turnover percentage (14.2 vs. 19.5).
South Carolina Gamecocks at Florida Gators Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Florida, ATS Winner – South Carolina, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, South Carolina is 4-5-1 ATS with 7 unders and 3 overs.
Florida is 4-5 ATS at home with 4 unders and 3 overs.
Florida ranks 15th in steals allowed per game (4.8) while South Carolina ranks 170th (7.5).
The Gamecocks average 38.3 rebounds per game, which ranks 62nd in the nation. The Gators rank 205th in rebounds allowed per game (36.8).
Florida averages 4.8 blocks per game, which ranks 35th in the nation. South Carolina ranks 173rd in blocks allowed per game (4.9).
The Gamecocks rank 29th in assists allowed per game (11.1) while the Gators rank 63rd (12.0).
South Carolina ranks 45th in three pointers allowed per game (19.3) while Florida ranks 65th (19.9).
Betting Trends:
In their last five games, South Carolina is 3-2 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over.
Florida is 4-1 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over their last five games.
The Gamecocks’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 1.0, down from 5.2 for the season.
During their last five games, the Gators have scored an average of 74.8 points per game (6.4 below their season average) and allowed an average of 68.8 points per game (3.3 below their season average).
