SEC Basketball: LSU vs. Florida TV info, odds, preview, prediction
The LSU Tigers and the Florida Gators meet this Saturday in Gainesville in what should be an exciting clash of conference opponents.
The Florida Gators (9-5, 1-1 SEC) play host this weekend to the team currently sitting atop the Southeastern Conference standings — the LSU Tigers (9-5, 2-0 SEC).
The Gators enter this matchup having suffered their first conference loss on the road against a less-than-impressive Tennessee team. Meanwhile, the Tigers come in fresh off of a convincing 85-67 upset win over the ninth-ranked Kentucky Wildcats earlier this week.
Overall, Florida holds a 27-20 record over LSU at home, but lost its last meeting with the Tigers in the O’Dome 79-61.
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For Florida, winning this game would give it a winning conference record of 2-1. Though Vegas gives them a five-point edge, the Gators are still pegged as the underdogs on their home floor. A victory could kickstart a much-needed confidence boost for the remainder of the season.
As for LSU, a win would keep it undefeated in the SEC after coming off back-to-back wins over two preseason conference favorites, Kentucky and Vanderbilt.
Needless to say, the Tigers are coming in with confidence and winning this game in a tough environment would only give them more momentum as they continue SEC play.
Game information
Date: Saturday, January 9, 2016
Time: 1:30 PM ET
Location: Stephen C. O’Connell Center, Gainesville, Florida
TV: CBS
Spread: Florida (-5)
Over/Under: 110
Success for Florida in this contest will stem from smart and efficient play on both sides of the court from its key contributors.
Freshman KeVaughn Allen has been averaging over 20 points per contest over the last four games and John Egbunu, Dorian Finney-Smith and Devin Robinson have each earned double-doubles this season in the frontcourt.
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But the only way the Gators have a chance in this game is if they play more aggressively on defense than they have thus far. That includes forcing turnovers and preventing the Tigers from going on runs — a task much easier said than done.
With that said, LSU boasts arguably the best offense in the league — led by the freshman sensation Ben Simmons. The freshman forward averages 20.1 points and 12.9 rebounds per game.
Additionally, senior guard Keith Hornsby is averaging 16.3 points and 2.4 boards per contest while forward Craig Victor and guard Tim Quarterman total 13.7 and 12.1 points, respectively.
Collectively, the Tigers’ scoring offense ranks No. 18 in the nation, behind 84.3 points per game and a .478 field goal percentage (compared to Florida’s .416). This group is certainly not the easiest to contain.
Prediction
Suppressing the explosive LSU offense is a tough ask of this Florida defense, despite only allowing an average of 63.5 points per game through the first half of the season.
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The Tigers will outlast the Gators in the O’Dome thanks to another impressive offensive effort from Simmons and Co., improving to 3-0 in league play.
*Stay updated on the game via Twitter by following the site’s handle @SouthboundDown — we’ll be live tweeting from tipoff to triple zeros.