#12 Florida Gators at Arkansas Razorbacks
Bud Walton Arena – Fayettville, Arkansas
Saturday, February 18, 2012, 6:00 pm Eastern, TV: ESPN2
Opening Line: Florida -4
Current Line: Florida -5
Opening Total: 146
Current Total: 145
Opening Money Line: Florida -215 / Arkansas +185
Current Money Line: Florida -215 / Arkansas +185
The 20-6 Florida Gators are 8-3 in the SEC, 3 games behind undefeated Kentucky in the conference race. The Gators won at Alabama Tuesday night 61-52 to snap a two game losing streak. Now Florida travels to Fayettville to take on the 17-9 Arkansas Razorbacks who are 5-6 in conference. The Razorbacks have lost 3 of their last 4 games including 77-58 at Tennessee Wednesday night. Florida leads the series against Arkansas 14-10, but the Razorbacks are 7-3 at home. The Gators have beaten the Razorbacks 4 straight times and have won 7 of the last 8.
Florida is coached by Billy Donovan. The Gators have losses to Ohio St, Syracuse, Rutgers, Tennessee twice, and Kentucky. Florida has wins over Wright St, Arizona, Rider, Texas A&M, Florida St, Yale, UAB, Georgia, South Carolina twice, LSU, Ole Miss, Mississippi St, and Vanderbilt.
Arkansas is coached by Mike Anderson. The Razorbacks have losses to Houston, UConn, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Kentucky, Alabama, LSU, and Georgia. Arkansas has wins over Oakland, Louisiana Tech, Charlotte, Mississippi St, LSU, Michigan, Auburn, Vanderbilt, and South Carolina.
Florida is outscoring opponents 78-65 this season. UF is #20 in scoring in the country. The Gators are shooting 46.3% from the field including 39.1% from 3 point range. The Gators are #20 in 3 point percentage. Florida makes 68.8% of their free throws. The Gators average 35.9 rebounds a game and have a rebounding margin of +2.1. Florida averages 15.6 assists, 11.2 turnovers, 7 steals, and 3.5 blocks a game. Florida opponents are shooting 42.6% from the field including 34.8% from 3 point range. The Gators force 14.1 turnovers a game.
Florida guard Kenny Boynton averages 17.2 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 2.7 assists a game. He makes 43.4% of his 3 point attempts. Bradley Beal averages 14.3 points, 6.32rebounds, 2 assists, and 1.3 steals a game to lead the team. He is shooting 32.8% from beyond the arc. Erving Walker averages 11.7 points, 2.8 rebounds, 4.9 assists to lead the team, and 1 steal a game. He shoots 36% from 3 point range. Patric Young averages 11 points, 6.3 rebounds to lead the team, 1.3 assists, and 1 block a game. Erik Murphy averages 10.3 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.1 blocks a game to lead the team. He makes 44.7% of his three pointers. Mike Rosario averages 7.9 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 1.2 assists a game. Rosario makes 38% of his three pointers but is questionable with a hip injury. Wil Yeguete averages 6.1 rebounds and 1.3 steals a game. He is questionable with a concussion. Walter Pitchford V is out indefinitely with a broken wrist.
Arkansas is outscoring opponents 73-68 this season. The Razorbacks are shooting 43.6% from the field and 34.7% from 3 point range. Arkansas makes 69.3% of their free throws. The Razorbacks average 35.3 rebounds and have a rebounding margin of -2.7. Arkansas averages 13.9 assists, 13.3 turnovers, 8.9 steals and 5.4 blocks a game. Razorback opponents are shooting 41.9% from the field, and 30.2% from 3 point range. Arkansas forces 17.1 turnovers a game.
Arkansas guard B.J. Young averages 14.5 points, 3 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.2 steals a game. He is shooting 40.6% from 3 point range. Mardracus Wade averages 10.5 points, 2.1 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.6 steals a game to lead the team. He is shooting 48.6% from 3 point range. Rickey Scott averages 9.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.4 assists a game. Julysses Nobles averages 8.9 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.4 assists to lead the team, and 1.5 steals a game. Devonta Abron leads the Razorbacks in rebounds with 4.4 a game. Hunter Mickleson leads the team in blocks with 2.5 a game. Michael Sanchez is questionable with a shoulder injury. Forward Marshawn Powell is out for the season with a knee injury. He only played in 2 games before the injury. He averaged 10.8 points, and 4.5 rebounds a game last year.
Arkansas is 7-10-1 ATS and the total is 8-9-1 this season. Florida is 10-10-1 ATS and the total is 13-8 this season. The home team and the favorite is 5-1 ATS in this series. The last 6 games have gone under the total between Florida and Arkansas. The Gators are 8-3 ATS as a favorite of 6.5 points or less, 4-11 as a road favorite, including 2-6 as a favorite of 6.5 points or less, and 1-7 after a cover. The Razorbacks are 5-1-1 ATS at home, 4-1-1 in Saturday games, and after failing to cover, 3-1-1 after a straight up loss, 15-5-1 as a home underdog, 19-7-1 as a home underdog of 6.5 points or less, 2-7 as an underdog, and 1-4 as an underdog of 6.5 points or less.
Arkansas has been terrific at home this year with only one loss and upsets over Mississippi St, Michigan, and Vanderbilt. Florida lives and dies by the 3 point shot and one of the Razorbacks’ strengths is defending the 3 point shot. I like Arkansas to pull off the upset at home.
