Florida Gators vs. Memphis Tigers
Tuesday, 12/17/13, 9:00 PM EST
Opening Point Spread: Florida -1
Current Betting Line: Florida -2.5
Opening Total: N/A
Current Total: N/A
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker
Florida and Memphis will meet in the nightcap of the Jimmy V Classic, as the team from the Sunshine State will try to improve upon its 4-3 SU record at Madison Square Garden under Billy Donovan. The Gators’ two losses this season have come in true road games against current top-10 opponents, which can’t be ignored when making your NCAA basketball picks. The team is coming off an impressive 67-61 victory over the Kansas Jayhawks last Tuesday, as it forced 24 turnovers and broke the game open with a 21-0 first-half run. Florida is 14-5 SU and 9-10 ATS on a neutral floor the last two-plus seasons.
The Gators have just four scholarship players who have played in every game, but they’ll likely send out four seniors in the starting lineup for this affair. Florida point guards Kasey Hill and Scottie Wilbekin have combined for a 3.3 assist-to-turnover ratio this season, as they prepare to face a defense that ranks in the top 10 nationally in forcing opponents into making mistakes. Forward Casey Prather is leading the team in averaging 18.3 points per game, with his .613 field goal percentage ranking second in the Southeastern Conference.
Memphis has won 19 of its last 26 games against SEC opponents, while it has put together a six-game winning streak since suffering its only loss of the season at Oklahoma State on Nov. 19. The Tigers are 3-0 in neutral site games this season—posting all three wins in taking the 2013 Old Spice Classic championship. The team brought back three starters, but only five letterwinners from last year’s squad. Memphis is 4-8 SU and 4-7-1 ATS as an underdog the last two-plus seasons, with the OVER going 8-4 in that situation.
The Tigers are playing in this event for the fourth time in the last 10 seasons—putting together a losing 1-2 record in their three previous appearances. In 11 previous trips to this venue, Memphis has compiled a 9-7 record. Four probable starters are averaging in double figures, with senior guard Joe Jackson leading the way—scoring 15.0 points a contest.
Sports bettors will likely back the Gators due to their 3-1-1 ATS mark versus teams averaging 77 or more points this season.
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