Florida vs Pittsburgh Odds, Picks and Predictions: Fireworks in Brooklyn

The Pittsburgh Panthers will try to remain undefeated on the season as they take on the Florida Gators in the NIT Season Tip-Off in Brooklyn on Wednesday night.

Pittsburgh (4-0) has overwhelmed four weak opponents and should get its first test on Wednesday. Florida (3-1) suffered an early season loss to the Virginia Cavaliers but still comes into tonight’s game as the favorite according to the college basketball odds.

Both the Gators and the Panthers have been scoring at will so far this year, and we should see another shootout on Wednesday. We’ll dig deeper into this battle in our free college basketball picks and predictions for Florida vs. Pittsburgh on November 22.

Florida vs Pittsburgh best odds

Florida vs Pittsburgh picks and predictions

The Pittsburgh Panthers haven't played much of a schedule yet this year, but it’s hard not to be impressed with its offensive output. The Panthers are averaging 95.5 points per game, and have gone over the century mark on two occasions already this year.

That’s led to some nice scoring totals for Pittsburgh’s top players. Senior forward Blake Hinson is averaging 20.5 points per game, but Carlton Carrington (18.0 ppg), Ishmael Leggett (15.0 ppg), and Guillermo Diaz Graham (10.5 ppg) have also gotten their fair share of buckets. Nobody is taking these early season results and suggesting that the Panthers are a national title contender, but this looks like a team that could well play exciting basketball in March.

The Florida Gators haven't been slouching on offense, either. The Gators have scored at least 89 points in three of their first four games, the one exception coming in a typically slower-paced game against Virginia. Impressively, they’ve done this against better competition on balance than the Panthers, with Walter Clayton Jr. (13.8 ppg) leading a cadre of six players currently averaging double digits.

Wednesday’s game represents a huge step up in competition for Pittsburgh and is arguably the toughest test this year for Florida as well (though the Virginia game could also compete for that title). That means it’s unlikely that we’ll see both teams putting up scores in the 90s tonight.

But that doesn’t mean we won’t see a lot of points. These aren’t just two elite offensive teams, but they’re also squads that like to play at a fast pace. Put them together, and we should see both sides running up and down the court for 40 minutes, leading to an entertaining shootout in this early-season tournament.

Yet despite the tempo and the production we’ve seen out of these teams so far, the total on this game sits at just 156.5 points. Keep in mind that when Florida played Virginia – arguably the slowest, most defensive-minded team in the entire country – they played to a total of 143 points. Now, that same Gators team is facing off against a Pittsburgh squad that has yet to play to a total of less than 149 and has eclipsed 160 twice despite playing in blowouts against weaker teams that haven’t scored much.

Neither of these teams has hit the Under a single time this season. The sportsbooks are making adjustments to this, but this number is still far too low to ignore. I’m going to be playing the Over tonight in what should be a fast, fun contest in Brooklyn.

My best bet: Over 156.5 (-110 at bet365)

Florida vs Pittsburgh same-game parlay

Over 156.5

Pittsburgh +5.5

Carlton Carrington Over 15.5 points

+414 at FanDuel

I not only expect tonight’s game to be a shootout, but I think it shapes up as a tough battle for both teams as well. That’s why I’ll be pairing my Over 156.5 bet with taking Pittsburgh and the points in my same-game parlay. Pittsburgh hasn’t played much competition yet, but they profile out similarly to Florida in overall strength, so 5.5 points is a generous spread.

Since I expect the Panthers to do well, I feel good about adding a Carrington prop to my SGP. Let’s look for the Pittsburgh freshman to continue his strong start, in which he has scored at least 17 points in each game. His scoring prop is just 15.5 points, so we’ll take the Over to round out our parlay.

Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.

Florida vs Pittsburgh spread and Over/Under analysis

Florida opened tonight’s game as a three-point favorite. The money has flowed towards the Gators, with Florida -5 now the closest thing to a consensus spread on the market. Depending on where you look, you can find books offering anywhere from Pittsburgh +4.5 to +5.5, with varying odds at different numbers.

While Florida is 3-1 on the season, it has posted just a 1-3 mark against the spread. Pittsburgh, on the other hand, is a perfect 4-0 ATS on the year so far.

This Pittsburgh team is better than people are giving it credit for. Sure, they should have won all four of their games so far, but they’ve accomplished that goal with flair, including blowing out a reasonable Jacksonville Dolphins team by 51 points as a 15.5-point favorite. Florida struggled against Virginia, and Pittsburgh presents a similar challenge. I’m leaning heavily towards the Panthers and the points, and could even see betting Pittsburgh on the moneyline at around +175.

The total for this contest opened at 157 points. That line hasn’t moved much, though most books have dropped the Over/Under by a half-point to 156.5. Almost all books are offering -110 odds on both sides of the total.

There’s not much subtlety when it comes to the trends here. The Over has gone a perfect 4-0 for both teams so far this season, meaning we’ve yet to see an Under out of either side.

I expect that trend to continue tonight. The oddsmakers aren’t blind to the fact that they should expect more scoring, but the adjustment just hasn’t been large enough to account for two fast teams with excellent offenses. This game should be played in the 160s or higher. I’m taking the Over as my best bet of the night.

Florida vs Pittsburgh betting trend to know

The Over has posted a combined 8-0 record this season in games played by Florida and Pittsburgh. Find more college basketball betting trends for Florida vs. Pittsburgh.

Florida vs Pittsburgh game info

Florida vs Pittsburgh key injuries

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