The Florida Gators visit the Alabama Crimson Tide on Wednesday night in a crucial SEC showdown at Coleman Coliseum. Both teams are fighting for second place in the conference standings, with Florida sitting at 25-4 and Alabama at 23-6. Each team holds a 12-4 SEC record, making this matchup key for tournament seeding.
This will be the only regular-season meeting between the teams. Florida won both matchups last year, including a 102-88 victory in the SEC tournament. Alabama comes into this game after a tough 79-76 loss to Tennessee, while Florida is riding high after an 89-70 win over Texas A&M.
Florida Gators Preview – Shooting for a Big Road Win
Florida has been one of the top teams in the SEC, winning 10 of its last 12 games. The Gators are led by Walter Clayton Jr., who averages 16.9 points per game. Alijah Martin (14.7 PPG) and Will Richard (13.0 PPG) provide strong scoring support, with Richard coming off a 25-point effort in the win over Texas A&M.
Florida has been efficient from beyond the arc, hitting 35.4% of its three-point attempts. Richard, Clayton, and Martin have all made over 60 threes this season. The Gators have also been solid defensively, holding opponents to 41.8% shooting.
Rebounding will be a key factor for Florida. The team averages 39.1 rebounds per game, ranking among the best in the nation. They will need to dominate the glass against Alabama’s athletic frontcourt.
Alabama Crimson Tide Preview – Looking to Bounce Back
Alabama has hit a rough patch, losing three of its last five games. The Crimson Tide led Tennessee late in their last game but gave up a game-winning three-pointer in the final seconds. They will need to regroup quickly as they return home, where they have a 12-2 record.
Mark Sears has been Alabama’s go-to scorer, averaging 19.1 points per game. He has been red-hot in recent games, putting up 27.5 points per game over his last four contests. Aden Holloway (12.0 PPG) has also been a key contributor, particularly from three-point range.
Alabama’s defense has struggled, allowing 80.1 points per game. The Tide will need to tighten up against Florida’s strong shooting attack. If they can get back to their earlier defensive form, they should have a strong chance to protect their home court.
Betting Prediction
Alabama has been strong at home, but Florida has been playing better overall. The Gators have won the last two meetings and are the more balanced team on both ends of the floor. Alabama’s recent defensive struggles could be a problem against Florida’s efficient offense.
Expect a high-scoring game with both teams pushing the pace. Florida’s ability to shoot the three and control the boards gives them a slight edge. The Gators should cover the spread in what should be a close battle.
Pick: Florida Gators +2.5 over Alabama Crimson Tide.
We expect this to be a great SEC affair. Both teams are really looking for that big win just before the SEC Tournament. When push comes to shove, taking the Gators is our final bet!
