The Florida Gators and Missouri Tigers meet on Friday in college basketball action at Bridgestone Arena. Here’s a Florida vs Missouri prediction. This article will include a Florida vs Missouri Pick.
Missouri Tigers Betting Preview
The Missouri Tigers (22-10, 18-14 ATS) didn’t have a great final month of the regular season as they lost four of five games, including three straight prior to the conference tournament. After losing to Vanderbilt, Oklahoma, and Kentucky, Missouri finished in 7th place in the SEC Standings and faced No. 10 Mississippi State in the second round. The Tigers won 85-73, easier than expected.
Missouri is averaging 84.5 PPG (T9th) and is allowing 73.2 PPG (220th). The Tigers are getting 34.1 RPG (280th) and dish out 14.0 APG (181st). Mark Mitchell is the team’s top performer with 14.3 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 2.0 APG, and 1.0 SPG. Caleb Grill has 14.2 PPG, 3.8 RPG, and 1.7 SPG, while Tamar Bates contributes 12.9 PPG, 2.6 RPG, and 1.4 SPG.
Florida Gators Betting Preview
The Florida Gators (27-4, 23-8 ATS) entered the conference tournament in a much better mood than Missouri. The Gators concluded the regular season with nine wins in ten games and recorded three consecutive victories, defeating Texas A&M, Alabama, and Ole Miss. Florida took the No. 2 seed and skipped the first two rounds of the SEC tourney.
Florida averages 84.5 PPG (T9th) and allows 68.2 PPG (67th). The Gators are 3rd in rebounds (42.4) and 64th in assists (15.8). Walter Clayton Jr. leads the team with 17.2 PPG, 3.8 RPG, a team-high 4.3 APG, and 1.2 SPG. Alijah Martin follows him with 14.5 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 2.3 APG, and a team-high 1.7 SPG, while Will Richard chips in 13.3 PPG, 4.7 RPG, and 1.7 SPG.
Why Missouri will beat Florida
- Missouri has won the first half in each of its last three games against Top 5 AP-ranked opponents.
Why Florida will beat Missouri
- Florida has won nine of its last 10 games against the Southeastern Conference.
- Missouri has lost 15 of its last 18 games against Top 5 AP-ranked opponents.
- Florida has won the first half in each of its last three games against the Southeastern Conference.
Matchup/League Facts
- Florida ranks 5th among Division 1 teams for net rating this season (+23.3).
- Florida ranks 7th among Division 1 teams for field goal attempts per game this season (64.2).
- Missouri ranks T6th among Division 1 teams for steals per game this season (9.6).
- Missouri ranks 6th among Division 1 teams for offensive rating this season (122.8).
Florida vs Missouri Prediction
Florida won seven of the previous ten H2H encounters and four of the last five. However, Missouri won the lone H2H this season when it was 83-82 at Florida. The Gators are a slightly better team and will be fresh after skipping the previous two rounds. Missouri played last night but I don’t think they spent a lot of energy against Mississippi State. The Tigers still have fuel in their tank and I believe they can give us a show on Friday. I am not saying they will make an upset here, but I expect the Tigers to put up a fight and stay close. We have top 10 offenses here, so I am going with points and Over. Missouri is 7-3 in Over/Under over the last ten games, exactly like Florida. The Gators’ previous four games went Over. I am backing both teams to score 80+ here.