The #18 Arkansas Razorbacks (21-6, 10-4 SEC) face a tough road test against the Florida Gators (17-10, 7-7 SEC) in a Southeastern Conference clash. Florida has renewed confidence after a victory Saturday over the Auburn Tigers, and Arkansas is just two games back of the top spot in the league. Tuesday’s matchup is the first of the season between the two foes.
The conference contest tips off at 7 p.m. EST inside Exactech Arena at Stephen O’Connell Center in Gainesville, FL. Arkansas opened as a 1-point road favorite, with the over-under total at 135.5 points.
What to Know – Arkansas Razorbacks
Arkansas looks to build on its two-game winning streak when it faces the Gators on Tuesday. The Razorbacks captured one of their best wins of the season over the weekend, a 58-48 victory over the Tennessee Volunteers. Arkansas currently sits in third place in the SEC standings.
The Razorbacks are fourth in the league averaging 77.3 points per game, shooting 44.0% from the field and 31.0% from the 3-point line. Defensively, Arkansas limits opponents to 67.1 points per game, 40.6% shooting from the floor, and 32.3% shooting from deep.
Arkansas stepped up on defense late in the second half, holding the Volunteers to just two field goals over the final eight minutes of play to pull away from Tennessee on Saturday. Jaylin Williams captured his ninth double-double of the year and fourth-straight with 13 points and a season-high 16 rebounds. JD Notae added 13 points for the Razorbacks, who used a rotation of just eight players in the victory.
The Razorbacks are 17-10 against the spread and 5-2 ATS on the road. Arkansas is 8-0 ATS over its last eight games but 2-7 in its last nine against the Gators.
What to Know – Florida Gators
Florida posted its best and most crucial victory of the year when the Gators upset the Auburn Tigers at home on Saturday. The Gators, who before the weekend were on the outside looking in on the NCAA Tournament, needs to pile up as many victories as it can over the next two weeks.
On offense, the Gators score 69.7 points per game, hitting 42.1% of their shots from the floor and 30.5% from the arc. Florida’s defense surrenders 64.0 points per game, 42.9% shooting from the field, and 30.5% shooting from three.
The Gators thwarted a final offensive attempt by the Tigers, pulling out a 63-62 victory, leading fans to storm the court for the first time over 30 years. Tyree Appleby scored a season-high 26 points, and Colin Castleton chipped in 19 points and eight rebounds. Florida hit 40% of its shots from deep and forced the Tigers to commit 17 turnovers.
Florida is 13-14 ATS with a 9-6 record ATS at home. The Gators are 1-5 ATS in their previous six games.
The Pick is In
Florida and Arkansas picked up a pair of key victories over the weekend and turn around for another marquee matchup Tuesday night. The Gators desperately need another big victory, but we don’t believe the Gators are built to take care of business in back-to-back games against ranked opponents. Arkansas builds an early lead and holds on to drop the Gators.
Betting Pick: Arkansas Razorbacks -1
