Florida Gators (18-7) vs. Alabama Crimson Tide (18-7)
February 21, 2024 7:00 pm EDT
The Line: Alabama Crimson Tide -7.5; Over/Under: 175
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The Florida Gators and the Alabama Crimson Tide meet Wednesday in college basketball action from Coleman Coliseum. Florida is fresh off a win over Georgia that brought the Gators to 18-7 overall. As for Alabama, they’re 18-7 as well after a win over Texas A&M. Let’s get into our Florida vs. Alabama prediction. Check back all season long for free college basketball picks at Sports Chat Place.
Florida Gators
Florida only lost six of their first 21 games this year. Those defeats came courtesy of Virginia, Baylor, Wake forest, Kentucky, Ole Miss and Tennessee. Following another loss to Texas A&M, the Gators have won three straight, taking out Auburn, LSU and Georgia along the way.
In the Georgia game on Saturday, the Gators fell behind by six points heading into the second half. Florida posted a 48-36 run the rest of the way however, taking a comeback win 88-82. Walter Clayton was the leading scorer on the team with 21 points, five rebounds and two assists.
Alabama Crimson Tide
Over on the Tide’s side, they lost just six of their first 22 outings in a very similar start. Those losses came to Ohio State, Clemson, Purdue, Creighton, Arizona and Tennessee. Alabama would then lose to Auburn before coming back with wins over LSU and Texas A&M.
Matched up against Texas A&M last weekend, the Tide didn’t have too many issues. Alabama was up 49-35 by halftime and closed on a 51-40 run for a blowout victory 100-75. Mark Sears was the team’s leading scorer on 23 points with four assists, four rebounds and three steals.
ANDREW’S FREE FLORIDA VS ALABAMA PREDICTION
I’ll stick with Alabama in this one. You could probably make a case either way, though; it’ll be a great matchup. The Tide played well in their last game versus Texas A&M, posting a nice 52.1 percent from the field with 20 team assists. Alabama did get out-rebounded 49-38 (26-14 offensive) and had 12 turnovers, though. Still, it’s been a great scoring run lately with 79 or more points in seven straight games—a 6-1 stretch.
As for Florida, they’re scoring well themselves with 79 or more points in seven of their last eight (a 7-1 run). This one should be a fairly high-scoring matchup, and I like a competitive game most of the way. I think Alabama pulls off the home cover, but Florida will make it interesting.
