Game Preview: Gators look to bounce back in SEC play against Ole Miss
Florida suffered a heartbreaking loss at home against Kentucky to kick off SEC play, and things aren’t about to get easier with Ole Miss on the schedule Wednesday.
The Rebels also lost their first conference matchup, 90-64, against the fifth-ranked Tennessee Volunteers. The Gators performed better against an SEC elite, but it’s hard to ignore the Rebs’ 13-0 start before the loss to the Vols.
Ole Miss will enjoy a homecourt advantage, too. The Rowdy Reptiles made the Wildcats uncomfortable in The Swamp. Now it’s time for Florida to prove it can handle the pressure.
Here is everything you need to know before the game on Saturday.
Starting lineup: Florida Gators
Player | Pos | H/W | Class | Min. | Pts. | Reb. |
Walter Clayton Jr. | G | 6-2/195 | Junior | 29.6 | 15.7 | 3.9 |
Zyon Pullin | G | 6-4 /206 | Sophomore | 29.5 | 14.9 | 3.5 |
Will Richard | G | 6-4 /206 | Junior | 29.1 | 11.1 | 3.6 |
Tyrese Samuel | F | 6-10/239 | Graduate | 27.5 | 13.5 | 8.7 |
Micah Handlogten | C | 7-1/235 | Sophomore | 17.7 | 6.8 | 7.5 |
Note: Riley Kugel came off the bench once again in the Kentucky game, but he still ended up playing 23 minutes (more than Will Richard’s 22). Freshman forward Alex Condon also got starter minutes off the bench.
Starting lineup: Ole Miss Rebels
Player | Pos | H/W | Class | Min. | Pts. | Reb. |
Jaylen Murray | G | 5-11/170 | Junior | 31.2 | 14.4 | 2.5 |
Matthew Murrell | G | 6-4/200 | Senior | 34.4 | 16.4 | 3.8 |
Allen Flanigan | G | 6-6/215 | Senior | 32.0 | 16.2 | 7.3 |
Jaemyn Brakefield | F | 6-8/220 | Senior | 28.1 | 11.6 | 5.7 |
Jamarion Sharp | F | 7-5/235 | Senior | 18.4 | 3.9 | 4.4 |
Key Player: Tyrese Samuel
Ole Miss might have a pair of 7-footers on the roster, but the best big man on the court Wednesday night will be Tyrese Samuel. A big night on the boards could be the difference in this game, and Samuel is the man to deliver. He leads the SEC in rebounds per game with 8.7 and shooting 62.2% from the field.
This one has double-double written all over it.
Key Player: Allen Flanigan
Allen Flanigan knows the Florida Gators well. He played three games against the Orange and Blue in 2022 as a member of the Auburn Tigers, but now he’s one of the main cogs in Ole Miss’ offensive machine.
Flanigan has never scored more than eight points against Florida. He’s averaging over 16 points per game this season, though, and this Gators team is unlike any other in recent memory. Todd Golden’s group likes to score, a lot. If Ole Miss is going to keep up and make it a point, Flanigan will have to finally figure it out against the Gators.
Prediction
After blowing an eight-point lead in the second half against Kentucky, expect Florida to step on the gas tonight and never let off. At least, that should be Todd Golden and Co.’s plan coming into another big SEC matchup.
Ole Miss will have the crowd behind them after faltering for the first time this year, but a big lead in the first half could silence the SJB Pavilion.
Golden should put Kugel back in the starting lineup at some point, but it’s tough to figure out which guard to pull. Will Richard was the team’s best scorer in December, Zyon Pullin leads the SEC in assists per game and Walter Clayton Jr. has been great all season.
Maybe Kugel coming off the bench as an X-factor is the right move for Florida, but how does it affect his NBA hopes?
Prediction: Florida 85, Ole Miss 80
How to Watch
Date: Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024
Time: 9 p.m. ET
TV Channel: SEC Network
Radio: Gators IMG Sports Network
Live Stream: fuboTV (try it free)
BPI Prediction
Using the Basketball Power Index, ESPN is giving Florida 55.5% odds to come out on top by a projected 1.5 points. The matchup quality earned an 86.8-point grade, putting it in the top quarter of the games being played that night.
ESPN’s BPI prediction gives Gators narrow margin of victory vs Rebels
Read more
Florida basketball slides outside of ESPN’s latest bracketology
Florida still seeking support in AP Top 25 Poll after loss to Kentucky
No love for Florida in USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll after loss
Florida sees drop in KenPom following Kentucky Wildcats loss
Gators slip a spot in ESPN’s Basketball Power Index after Kentucky loss
Florida inches up NET rankings despite narrow loss to Kentucky
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