Florida Gators vs Arkansas Razorbacks Basketball Pick

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NCAA Basketball Pick

The Florida Gators are starting to turn some heads with their dominance of the SEC. The Gators are up to second in the college basketball rankings, and they are getting quite a few votes for the number one spot. No one in the SEC has even been much of a challenge for the Gators, but Arkansas will look to change that on Tuesday night. Let’s take a look at this SEC matchup.

Game Overview:

The Florida Gators are averaging 74 points per game this year, and they are only giving up 51 points per game. Florida went to Arkansas and absolutely blasted the Razorbacks last year, winning 98-68 in Fayetteville. Last year’s Florida team might have been ever so slightly better on offense, but this year’s team is much better defensively. You could make a good argument that Florida is the best defensive team in the nation right now. Opponents are shooting just 36 percent from the floor. Florida is one of the best defensive rebounding teams in the country. The Gators are only allowing opponents to score 51 points per game.

Florida is pretty good on the offensive end as well. The Gators may have lost Bradley Beal, but their backcourt is still one of the best in the nation. Kenny Boynton is the veteran leader of the team, and he has rediscovered his shooting touch over the last few games. Mike Rosario and Scottie Wilbekin are both quick guards who can shoot it from long range or get to the basket. Erik Murphy is shooting better than 51 percent from beyond the arc for the Gators. Patric Young is the team’s best low post scorer. Florida shoots 49.6 percent from the floor as a team.

Arkansas’ Mike Anderson has been famous for his “40 Minutes of Hell” style of basketball, and this year’s Razorbacks are going a pretty good job running that system. The quickness of the Razorbacks allows them to press and force turnovers at one of the highest rates in all of college basketball. In the halfcourt, Arkansas’ defense hasn’t been very good this year, but that is partially because they go for so many steals. One area that has been a problem for Arkansas all year is rebounding, so they will have to fight to stay even with the Gators on the boards.

B.J. Young leads the Razorbacks in scoring at 16.7 points per game. He is also the team’s leading assists man with 4 assists per game. Arkansas is a team that really struggles when they settle for three-point shots, so they must keep attacking the rim against the Gators in this one. Arkansas shoots just 29.8 percent from three-point range. Marshawn Powell has put up some big numbers in the post this year. He has picked up multiple double doubles, and he’ll have to be big in this game.

Prediction:

The Gators should be able to handle the press much better than most teams. Arkansas’ fast tempo should get them enough points to keep this relatively close. Last year’s game went way over the posted total, and I like the over in this one too.

Florida 79 Arkansas 66