Game Preview: Florida returns to O’Dome to host Arkansas Razorbacks
Florida basketball returns home to the O’Dome on Saturday afternoon for another SEC contest, this time against the Arkansas Razorbacks.
Even though the Gators ended the 2023 calendar year with a sense of euphoria, building a six-game win streak and surviving a thriller against Michigan in a double overtime.
But now the Orange and Blue are up against the ropes, falling to Kentucky and Ole Miss consecutively and the defense is starting to show its cracks in the system after surrendering 103 points to the Rebels.
The Razorbacks also find themselves in desperation mode, slipping to a two-game losing skid to start the new year and losing both contests by a double-digit margin, most notably an 83-51 loss to the Auburn Tigers at home.
Here’s how both teams will line up while they play for redemption and for their first wins of the new year.
Starting lineup: Florida Gators
Player | Pos | H/W | Class | Min. | Pts. | Reb. |
Walter Clayton Jr. | G | 6-2/195 | Junior | 30 | 16.2 | 3.9 |
Zyon Pullin | G | 6-4 /206 | Sophomore | 29.9 | 15.2 | 3.3 |
Will Richard | G | 6-4 /206 | Junior | 29.2 | 10.7 | 3.7 |
Tyrese Samuel | F | 6-10/239 | Graduate | 27.2 | 13.3 | 8.3 |
Micah Handlogten | C | 7-1/235 | Sophomore | 18 | 6.7 | 7.5 |
Starting lineup: Arkansas Razorbacks
Trevon Brazile | F | 6-10/220 | R-Sophomore | 28.7 | 9.9 | 6.8 |
Makhi Mitchell | F | 6-10/240 | Graduate | 14.2 | 5.5 | 3.3 |
Keyon Menfield Jr. | G | 6-1 /150 | Sophomore | 25.7 | 11.8 | 3.2 |
Davonte Davis | G | 6-4/185 | Senior | 30.8 | 6.5 | 3.3 |
Tramon Mark | G | 6-6/185 | Junior | 30.2 | 17.0 | 3.7 |
Key Player: Walter Clayton Jr.
Despite the Gators’ falloff, starting guard Walter Clayton Jr. has managed to keep his composure and stay hot throughout the current streak.
The junior tallied 23 points against both Kentucky and Ole Miss, but his three-point shooting could use a few tweaks. Clayton only made six of his last 23 attempts from beyond the arc.
Clayton will be counted on once again to give the Gators a fighting chance and the Arkansas Razorbacks are showing the defensive flaws to allow Clayton to stay within his rhythm.
Key player: Tramon Mark
Playing opposite Clayton is junior Tramon Mark, the Razorbacks’ leading scorer and certified leader on the hardwood.
When Mark is on point and hitting his shots, it usually means that Arkansas is in the lead or is looking like the team will be victorious. The Houston transfer is seeking a fresh start with Arkansas, and so far has improved his field goal percentage drastically from 39% to 53.9%.
Prediction
The Florida Gators are in dire need of a win and the Arkansas Razorbacks (9-6) are the perfect matchup for the Orange and Blue to gain its momentum back. If Florida can control the boards and clean up its sloppy turnovers, it should be an easy day at the O’Dome and a positive turnaround for a team that’s slipping into 2024.
Florida 83, Arkansas 74
How to watch
Date: Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024
Time: 4 p.m. ET
TV Channel: ESPN
Radio: Gators IMG Sports Network
Live Stream: fuboTV (try it free)
Read more
Behind Enemy Lines: What you need to know about Arkansas
Gators expectedly fall in NET rankings after Ole Miss beatdown
Florida slips again in KenPom rankings after second-straight SEC loss
Florida basketball takes a dip in ESPN’s BPI after Ole Miss loss
Todd Golden speaks to media following road loss to Ole Miss
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