With just three games left in the SEC regular season, both Florida and South Carolina are jockeying for position heading into the conference tournament. Entering Saturday's game, the Gamecocks sit third at 11-4, with the Gators clipping at their heels at 10-5.
Both teams should display a sense of urgency to win this game, and the college basketball odds expect this game to be tight throughout.
Can the Gator's high-octane offense do enough on the road to hand South Carolina just its third home loss this year? Or will the Gamecocks defense rise to the occasion and propel the team to victory?
Join me as I offer my best free college basketball picks and predictions for Florida vs. South Carolina on Saturday, March 2.
Florida vs South Carolina best odds
Florida vs South Carolina picks and predictions
The Florida Gators are a very good basketball team and while I know that's not a 'hot take' by any stretch, I believe they are being undervalued this season.
Yes, they own eight losses heading into their afternoon showdown against the South Carolina Gamecocks, but have you seen who they've lost to? They have losses to Virginia (when they were good), Baylor, Wake, Kentucky, Mississippi, Tennessee, Texas A&M, and Alabama. Four of those losses are by a combined 14 points, and blowouts by Ole Miss and Tennessee on the road aren't an accurate indicator of what this team is capable of.
Do you know what is though? Their offense and its ability to score points and dominate the paint on both ends of the court.
The Gators are the No. 9 scoring team in the country and they play at one of the fastest tempos in the land. Their ability to own the paint and clean up on the glass is second to none and it's a big reason the team has 20 wins on the year. This is the best rebounding team (No. 2 in offensive rebounds), and I don't believe the Gamecocks will have an answer on Saturday.
The Gamecocks, while riding a two-game winning streak and on a high after a big road win vs. Texas A&M, don't have the bodies needed to contain the Gators inside.
The Gators will get to the rim with ease and the Gamecocks won't be able to overcome their scoring issues as they sit nearly 250th in points per game.
My best bet: Florida moneyline (-108 at FanDuel)
Florida vs South Carolina same-game parlay
Florida moneyline
Zyon Pullin Over 13.5 points
Ta'Lon Cooper Under 10.5 points
While Florida will win this game thanks to its ability to dominate the paint and mop up on the glass, Zyon Pullin will be a contributing factor.
The Gators guard has scored double digits in all but one game this year, and he's gone over this point total in eight of his last 10. Likely guarding him will be Ta'Lon Coopers, and he'll have his hands full, which is why we believe adding his point total to go Under is worth it.
Cooper has hit double-digit points in just one of his last five games, and with more emphasis placed on defending, I expect the guard to defer to others on the offensive end.
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Florida vs South Carolina spread and Over/Under analysis
This line opened at -1.5, where it's currently holding steady. Given public perception, teams tend to bet on the higher-ranked team, and with South Carolina also at home, I could very well see the spread moving up to -2.5 by tip-off.
If you wait long enough, you should be able to squeeze a little more juice (don't mind the Florida pun) out of the Gators' moneyline.
As for the total, we saw 146 before it rose a half point at some spots, and a full point at others.
Despite the Gators' propensity to play an uptempo style of basketball, I don't believe the Gamecocks will be able to score enough to hold up their end of the bargain. I'd lean Under.
Florida vs South Carolina betting trend to know
Florida has hit the moneyline in 16 of its last 26 games (+5.00 Units / 6% ROI). Find more college basketball betting trends for Florida vs. South Carolina.
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Florida vs South Carolina game info
| Location: | Colonial Life Arena, Columbia, SC |
| Date: | Saturday, March 2, 2024 |
| Tip-off: | 12:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | ESPN |
Florida vs South Carolina key injuries
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