The Florida Gators (13-0) travel to face off against the Kentucky Wildcats (11-2) on Saturday, January 4th. This game will be played at Rupp Arena in Lexington and televised on ESPN. Both team’s come into this one having won their previous games. Tip-off is set for 11:00 ET.

Florida Gators vs Kentucky Wildcats

The Gators Are Coming Off A Win

Florida continued their dominant season with an 85-45 win over Stetson on Sunday, improving to 13-0. The Gators were heavy favorites at -39 and covered the spread, while the game’s total points of 130 fell well short of the 160.5 O/U line.

Florida led 46-27 at halftime and clamped down defensively in the 2nd half, allowing just 18 points while scoring 39. Their ability to control both ends of the floor was on full display in this one.

The Wildcats Are Coming Off A Win

Kentucky Wildcats Recent Game/Games

Kentucky improved to 11-2 on the season with an 88-54 home win over Brown on Tuesday. The Wildcats were -24.5 favorites and covered the spread, while the game’s total points of 142 fell short of the 154.5 O/U line.

Leading 39-27 at halftime, Kentucky’s defense stepped up in the 2nd half, holding Brown to 27 points while scoring 49 of their own.

Gators Offense Breakdown

Florida put up 85 points in their last game, shooting 50.7% from the field with an effective field goal percentage of 58%. They connected on 59.1% of their two-point attempts and hit 36% from beyond the arc, making 9 of 25 three-point shots.

Alijah Martin led the way with 18 points, while Will Richard added 17, shooting 72.7% from the field. Walter Clayton Jr. contributed 12 points, hitting 80% of his shots and 66.7% from three-point range. Clayton also dished out 7 assists, helping the Gators finish with 19 assists as a team.

Wildcats Offense Breakdown

Kentucky put up 88 points in their last game, shooting 50% from the field with an effective field goal percentage of 58.3%. They hit 62.5% of their two-point attempts and connected on 35.7% from beyond the arc, making 10 threes. At the free-throw line, they shot 78.3%, going 18 for 23.

The Wildcats dished out 18 assists and grabbed 9 offensive rebounds. Kino Lilly Jr. led the way with 16 points and 4 assists, while Landon Lewis added 15 points and 6 rebounds. Andrew Carr and Amari Williams were efficient, with Carr shooting 66.7% and Williams hitting 80% of his shots.

Gators Team Defense

Despite Florida’s defensive struggles, they managed to hold their opponent to 45 points, even while allowing them to shoot 50% from the field. The Gators gave up 26 two-point baskets on 44 attempts, a 59% success rate for the opposing team.

From beyond the arc, Florida’s defense saw their opponent hit 9 of 25 three-point attempts, a 36% shooting performance. The Gators also sent them to the free-throw line 9 times, where they converted 6 of those opportunities, shooting 66%.

Wildcats Team Defense

Despite Florida’s defensive struggles, they managed to hold their opponent to 45 points. The Gators allowed a 50% shooting performance, with 35 made field goals on 69 attempts.

Inside the arc, Florida’s defense gave up 26 two-point baskets on 44 attempts, a 59% shooting rate. From three-point range, their opponent hit 9 of 25 shots, or 36%. The Gators also sent them to the free-throw line 9 times, where they made 6 free throws, shooting 66%.

Gators vs Wildcats Trends

• When looking at their past five road matchups, Florida has an ATS record of 3-2 while averaging 84 per game. The team went 3-2 overall in these games.
• When looking at their past five home matchups, Kentucky has an ATS record of 3-2 while averaging 78 per game. The team went 3-2 overall in these games.
• The last five games that Florida was the underdog, they have an ATS mark of 2-3 while going 1-4 straight up.
• Against the spread, the Wildcats have put together of 1-4 in their last five games as the betting favorite. In these same games, they went 3-2 straight up.

Gators vs Wildcats Prediction

Not only do we have the Wildcats winning this one by a score of 78-70, but we see them covering the spread. Our pick is to grab the Wildcats at -3.5.

As for the over/under, the the line is currently at 166.5, and our model projects the Gators and Wildcats to reach a combined total of 148 points. Our bet is on taking the under.

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All odds are courtesy of Action247 Sportsbook. Good luck!!

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* All odds are provided by Action247 Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.**All views expressed are my own. My picks are my own and are not a guarantee, bet at your own risk.Action247 does not warrant the accuracy of completeness of the information, text, graphics, links or other items contained within these post.