Florida Gators (20-8) vs. South Carolina Gamecocks (23-5)
March 2, 2024 12:00 pm EDT
The Line: South Carolina Gamecocks -1.5; Over/Under: +145.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Florida Gators will play the South Carolina Gamecocks in a SEC game on Saturday afternoon at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, South Carolina. Let’s take a look at the Florida preview, South Carolina preview, betting matchup, and the Florida vs South Carolina prediction.
Florida Preview
The Florida Gators are 20-8 (10-5) this year after they defeated Missouri by a score of 83-74 in their last game. Florida led 37-28 at halftime and they were able to score 46 points in the second half to hang on for the win. The Gators shot 49.2% from the field and were +11 in rebounding margin in the game. Florida has won five of their last six games, with the lone loss coming on the road to Alabama by five points. The Gators are scoring 84.7 points per game with 43.7 rebounds per game and 15.4 assists per game, while giving up 77 points against per game this year. Walter Clayton Jr. is averaging 16.8 points per game, 3.8 rebounds per game, and 2.8 assists per game. Florida is shooting 45.5% from the field, 69.2% on free throws, and 33.6% on three pointers this season.
South Carolina Preview
The South Carolina Gamecocks are 23-5 (11-4) this season after they defeated Texas A&M by a score of 70-68 in their last game. South Carolina led 32-29 at halftime and was able to get the win, despite allowing 39 second half points. The Gamecocks shot 45.9% from the field and were -1 in rebounding margin in the game. South Carolina defeated Ole Miss by a score of 72-59 in the game prior to Texas A&M, but lost to LSU and Auburn before that. The Gamecocks are scoring 71.7 points per game with 36.1 rebounds per game and 15.6 assists per game, while giving up 65.3 points against per game this season. Meechie Johnson is averaging 13.8 points per game, 4.3 rebounds per game, and 3.0 assists per game. South Carolina is shooting 44% from the field, 71.5% on free throws, and 34.1% on three pointers this year.
Florida vs South Carolina Betting Prediction
Both of these teams come into this matchup right in the middle of the race for first in the SEC standings. South Carolina is only one game behind Alabama and Tennessee, while Florida is two games back. The Gators are scoring over 84 points per game, but they will face a South Carolina defense that is only allowing 65.3 points against per game this year. On the flip side, Florida’s defense has really struggled for most of the season, but South Carolina is a lower scoring team. This should be a great game between two very solid teams and I think either side could win, so I will take the points with Florida on the road.
