The Florida Gators (18-11, 9-7 SEC) will travel to Coleman Coliseum to go head-to-head with the Alabama Crimson Tide (17-12, 8-8 SEC) in their home finale. Alabama opened as a 2.5-point favorite, while the Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 139 points. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, February 27, 2018.
Florida Gators at Alabama Crimson Tide Odds Preview
The last time the Gators played, they were victorious over the No. 12 Auburn Tigers, 72-66. KeVaughn Allen was the top scorer from either team with 24 points on 8-for-15 shooting. The Gators forced 16 turnovers and had an effective field goal percentage of 0.551 (above their season average of 0.504).
The Crimson Tide are trying to rebound after their 76-73 loss to the Arkansas Razorbacks in their last game. Braxton Key led Alabama in scoring with 16 points on 6-for-9 shooting. Arkansas had an offensive rebounding percentage of 40.6 (above their season average of 29.2). Alabama, meanwhile, had a free throw rate of 0.367 (above their season average of 0.279).
Alabama figures to have the edge on the defensive side of the ball. The Crimson Tide rank 26th in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.468), while Florida is 208th in effective field goal percentage (0.506).
Both of these teams have a tendency to go under the projected point total. Florida games have gone under 57.7 percent of the time, while 66.7 percent of games including Alabama have gone under. Both teams have solid straight up (SU) records (18-11 for Florida; 17-12 for Alabama), but the Crimson Tide hold a slight advantage against the spread (ATS). Alabama is 14-13-1 ATS, while the Gators are 13-14-1.
These teams have already met once this season. In that game, the two teams combined to put up 118 points, well under the projected point total of 143. The Crimson Tide won 68-50, covering as 8-point underdogs. The Crimson Tide’s offensive rebounding percentage was their biggest strength over the Gators. Alabama had a rate of 40.7, while Florida posted a mark of 22.0. Collin Sexton scored a game-high 17 points.
Florida Gators vs. Alabama Crimson Tide Prediction
College Basketball Prediction: SU Winner – Alabama, ATS Winner – Alabama, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Gators average 4.7 blocks per game, which ranks 30th in the nation. The Crimson Tide rank 116th in blocks allowed per game (3.4).
- Alabama is 45th in the NCAA with 11.6 assists allowed per game while Florida is 56th with 11.9 assists allowed per game.
- Florida is 7-6 ATS on the road with 8 unders and 5 overs.
- At home, Alabama is 8-5-1 ATS with 11 unders and 2 overs.
- Florida ranks seventh in steals allowed per game (4.5) while Alabama ranks 169th (6.7).
- The Crimson Tide average 35.9 rebounds per game, which ranks 131st in the nation. The Gators rank 225th in rebounds allowed per game (36.8).
- Florida ranks 42nd in three pointers allowed per game (19.5) while Alabama ranks 135th (21.5).
Bettings Trends:
- Alabama is 2-3 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders in their last five games.
- Over their last five games, Florida is 2-3 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over.
- The Crimson Tide’s average margin of victory in their last five games has been 2.2, down from 3.7 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Gators have scored an average of 66.2 points per game (10.0 below their season average) and allowed an average of 62.4 points per game (7.4 below their season average).
