Florida vs Alabama 1/5/22 College Basketball Picks, Predictions, Odds

The 15^th ranked Alabama Crimson Tide will travel to the Exactech Arena at Stephen C. O’Connell Center to take on the Florida Gators this Wednesday night in College Basketball action.

The Alabama Crimson Tide improved to 10-3 on the season after defeating the 14^th ranked Tennessee Volunteers, 73-68, this past Wednesday. Alabama Was outstanding defensively against Tennessee and was able to pull away late after closing out the final 2:04 of regulation on an 8-3 run. Alabama shot 43.3% from the field & 22.6% from beyond the arc while holding Tennessee to just 34.9% shooting from the field & 24.1% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Crimson Tide was Noah Gurley who had a double-double with 20 points, 10 rebounds, & 1 block.

On the season, Alabama is averaging 82.2 ppg on 46.9% shooting from the field. The Crimson Tide are averaging 9.7 three-pointers per game on 32.8% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Alabama has been led by Jaden Shackelford (16.5 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 1.3 apg), Jahvon Quinerly (14.9 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 4.3 apg, 1.0 spg), Keon Ellis (12.2 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 2.2 apg, 1.4 spg), & JD Davison (8.4 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 4.4 apg).

Defensively, Alabama is allowing their opponents to average 72.9 ppg on 42.5% shooting from the field. The Crimson Tide have a rebound margin of 6.1 and a turnover margin of -1.3.

The Florida Gators won their 2^nd straight game and improved to 9-3 on the season after defeating the Stony Brook Seawolves, 87-62, on December 22^nd. Florida dominated Stony Brook on both ends of the court in the 1^st half and had no trouble securing the victory after going into halftime with a 48-27 lead. Florida shot 53.3% from the field & 34.8% from beyond the arc while allowing Stony Brook to shoot 51.9% from the field & 26.3% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Gators was Phlandrous Fleming Jr. who had 20 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, & 2 steals.

On the season, Florida is averaging 74.0 ppg on 43.0% shooting from the field. The Gators are averaging 7.8 three-pointers per game on 31.2% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Florida has been led by Colin Castleton (14.8 ppg, 9.3 rpg, 1.8 apg, 2.5 bpg), Phlandrous Fleming Jr. (11.8 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 1.6 apg, 1.3 spg), Tyree Appleby (10.0 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 3.1 apg, 1.6 spg), & Myreon Jones (9.5 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 2.1 apg, 1.6 spg).

Defensively, Florida is holding their opponents to an average of 59.9 ppg on 43.0% shooting from the field. The Gators have a rebound margin of 4.1 and a turnover margin of 4.3.

The Crimson Tide are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games, however, are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 road games vs. Florida. The Gators are 2-4 ATS in their last 6 games and just 2-8 ATS in their last 10 games vs. SEC opponents.

Alabama has been outstanding on the offensive end this season as they come into this game ranked 18^th in scoring offense & 66^th in FG%, however, the Crimson Tide has struggled a bit defensively as they are ranked just 279^th in scoring defense. Florida has been led by their defense which ranked t-25^th in scoring defense & 27^th in turnover margin and have been average offensively as the come into this game ranked t-141^st in scoring offense. 

Alabama has had success at Florida recently, however, this is still a team that hasn’t proven much on the road this season, losing their only road game to Memphis while also recently losing to Davidson on a neutral court. Florida is 6-1 at home this season and as I think their defense will be able to give the Crimson Tide some trouble, I think the Gators do enough to cover this small spread. Good Luck!