Missouri @ Florida preview
Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center
Last Meeting ( Jan 6, 2018 ) Florida 77, Missouri 75
Florida looks to continue its surge in the SEC standings — and perhaps toward an NCAA Tournament berth — when it hosts Missouri on Saturday. The Gators have won three straight to move above .500 in conference play and into a tie for sixth place in the league standings.
Florida has picked up two straight resume-building wins — 71-53 at Alabama and 82-77 in overtime at No. 15 LSU. Now the Gators hope to avoid what would be a crushing loss to their NCAA Tournament hopes against a Tigers team that ranks 12th in the 14-team SEC. Missouri has lost two straight and four of five but outplayed No. 4 Kentucky in the second half of a 66-58 home loss on Tuesday. The Gators lead the all-time series 6-2 as the Tigers never have won at Florida.
TV: 4 p.m. ET, ESPNU
ABOUT MISSOURI (12-13, 3-10 SEC): The Tigers haven’t found much consistency at the offensive end - especially in conference play - aside from Jordan Geist (14.1 points), who has scored in double figures in eight straight games. Jeremiah Tilmon (10.7 points, 5.8 rebounds) has put up big numbers at times but often struggles with foul trouble. Mark Smith (11.4 points, 5.8 rebounds), who leads the SEC in 3-point shooting at 45 percent, is working his way back after missing six games with an ankle injury and has been limited to a total of three points over two contests since returning.
ABOUT FLORIDA (15-11, 7-6): The Gators don’t have a wealth of scoring options either — only KeVaughn Allen (12.9 points) and freshman Noah Locke (11) average double digits — but they boast a deep bench and play tough defense. Florida limits opponents to 63.7 points per game, although that number has climbed somewhat to 67.8 points in SEC contests. Locke had been battling a nagging injury but put up 15 points against LSU.
TIP-INS
1. The Gators (31.4 percent) and Tigers (32.7) rank first and second, respectively, in the SEC in 3-point defense.
2. Locke has made 70 3-pointers and needs five more to surpass Anthony Roberson for the most by a freshman in Florida history.
3. Florida (204) and Missouri (208) have attempted fewer free throws than any other teams during conference play.
PREDICTION: Florida 69, Missouri 66