2013 NCAA Tournament – South Region Second Round
Friday, March 22, 2013, 7:27 pm Eastern, TV: tru TV
#3 Florida Gators vs #14 Northwestern State Demons
Frank Erwin Special Events Center – Austin, Texas
Opening Line: Florida -19
Current Line: Florida -20 1/2
Opening Total: 139
Current Total: 143
Opening Money Line: Florida -9100 / Northwestern St +4900
Current Money Line: Florida -6400 / Northwestern St +3600
The 26-7 Florida Gators won the SEC regular season title with a 14-4 record. However, the Gators were upset by Ole Miss 66-63 in the SEC Championship game. The Gators were given the #3 seed in the South Region, and will face #14 seed Northwestern State. The Demons are 23-8 this season and and finished second in the Southland Conference with a 15-3 record, a game behind 16-2 Stephen F. Austin. The Demons beat Austin in the Southland championship game 68-66. Northwestern St has won 4 straight games. The Gators and Demons have never met in basketball before. The winner of this game will face either #6 UCLA or #11 Minnesota in Sunday’s third round.
Florida is coached by Billy Donovan. Florida has losses at Arizona, Kansas St in Kansas City, at Arkansas, at Missouri, at Tennessee, and at Kentucky. The Gators have wins over Wisconsin, Middle Tennessee, Central Florida, Marquette, at Florida St, Air Force in Miami, at Yale, Georgia twice, LSU twice, at Texas A&M, Missouri, Mississippi St twice, South Carolina, Ole Miss, Kentucky, at Auburn, Arkansas, Alabama twice, and Vanderbilt. The Gators are 16-14 ATS and the total is 11-16.
Florida is outscoring teams 72-54 this season. The Gators are #3 in points allowed nationally. The Gators are shooting 48.1% from the field and 38.1% from 3 point range. The Gators are 27 or better nationally in both categories. Florida makes 68% of their free throws. The Gators average 35.1 rebounds per game and give up 26.7 per game. Florida is #18 in rebounds allowed. Gator opponents are shooting 37.7% from the field and 30.1% from 3 point range. The Gators are #7 in field goal defense and #26 in three point defense. Florida averages 15 assists, 7 steals, 3 blocks and 11 turnovers.
Forward-center Erik Murphy averages 12.6 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.4 assists. Guard Kenny Boynton averages 12.3 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.9 assists. Guard Mike Rosario averages 12.3 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game. Center Patric Young averages 10.3 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks per game. Guard Scottie Wilbekin averages 9 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1.5 steals per game. Casey Prather, Michael Frazier II, and Will Yeguete all score around 6 points a game. Frazier (back) and Yeguete (knee) are both probable.
Northwestern St is coached by Mike McConathy. The Demons have losses at LSU, at Texas A&M, at Oklahoma, at Arkansas, at Oral Roberts, Nichols St, at Niagara, and at Stephen F. Austin. NSU has wins over Louisiana Tech, Stephen F. Austin twice, Oral Roberts and Sam Houston St. Every other team in the Southland was below .500. The Demons are 1-2 ATS and the total is 1-1-1 this season.
Northwestern St is outscoring teams 81-71 this season. The Demons lead the nation in scoring. NSU is shooting 46% from the field and 31.7% from 3 point range. The Demons make 68.6% of their free throws. NSU averages 39.4 rebounds per game and give up 35.6. The Demons are #11 in rebounds allowed, but #333 out of 347 teams in rebounds allowed. NSU opponents are shooting 42.4% from the field and 32.7% from 3 point range. The Demons average 15 assists, 7 steals, 3 blocks, and 11 turnovers.
Forward DeQuan Hicks averages 14.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.6 steals per game. Guard Shamir Davis averages 12.5 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 2.2 assists. Forward James Hulbin averages 12.1 points, and 5.9 rebounds per game. Guard Jalan West averages 10.3 points, 2.5 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and 2.4 steals per game. Guard Brison White averages 8.1 points, 1.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.6 steals. Gary Roberson, Gary Stewart, Marvin Frazier, Patrick Robinson, and O.J. Evans all get significant minutes as well. Frazier leads the Demons in blocks with 1.3 a game.
Northwestern St is 5-1 ATS in neutral site games, 5-2 against teams with winning records, 2-5 in Friday games, and 1-5 in non-conference games.
Florida is 16-5 ATS in NCAA tournament games, 2-7 overall, 1-4 after a straight up loss, and in neutral site games, and 1-7 against teams with winning records.
Norhtwestern St has the nation’s top scoring offense, but Florida is #3 in points allowed. Still, Florida isn’t afraid to run. The Gators have struggled on the road and in neutral site games. Still, i think the Gators’ stifling defense will be enough, but NSU could make it interesting.
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