Florida Gators vs Oklahoma Sooners – NCAA Basketball Preview – February 18, 2025
Oklahoma travels to Gainesville to take on No. 2 Florida in an SEC matchup at Exactech Arena. The game is set for Tuesday, February 18, at 7:00 PM ET. Florida enters the contest with a strong 22-3 record, sitting third in the SEC, while Oklahoma is 16-9 and 14th in the conference.
These teams last met in December 2022, when Oklahoma secured a 62-53 victory. However, much has changed since then. Florida has won nine of its last 12 games, including two victories over No. 1-ranked teams. Oklahoma, on the other hand, has lost nine of its last 12, including a recent four-game losing streak. Both teams have different postseason aspirations, with Florida aiming for a top NCAA Tournament seed and Oklahoma looking to stay in the bubble conversation.
Florida Preview – Gators Aim to Stay Hot
Florida is coming off an 88-67 win over South Carolina, their fourth straight victory. The Gators have been strong at home, holding a 12-1 record in Gainesville. They have also been dominant defensively, ranking second in the nation in opponent three-point percentage (28.2%).
The return of Micah Handlogten and Alijah Martin has given Florida a boost. Handlogten, in his first game back from a leg injury, contributed across the board. Martin, the team’s second-leading scorer, added 11 points off the bench. With injuries to frontcourt players Alex Condon and Sam Alexis, Florida will rely on Handlogten and Thomas Haugh inside.
Guards Walter Clayton and Denzel Aberdeen lead the scoring effort. Aberdeen has stepped up in recent games, scoring 22 points against South Carolina. Florida has also been efficient at the free-throw line, making 80.1% of their attempts, ranking sixth nationally.
Oklahoma Preview – Sooners Look to Snap Losing Streak
Oklahoma has struggled recently, dropping four straight games, including a tough 82-79 loss to LSU. The Sooners had a late lead but collapsed in the final seconds. They have faced a tough schedule, with three of their last four losses coming against ranked opponents.
Jalon Moore leads the Sooners with 17.2 points per game, while Jeremiah Fears adds 15.2. Oklahoma ranks 88th in field goal percentage (46.7%) but struggles defensively, allowing opponents to shoot 39.0% from the field. Their three-point shooting has been solid (35.9%), but they will be tested against Florida’s strong perimeter defense.
The Sooners have not fared well on the road, holding a 1-5 away record. Their defense will need to step up against Florida’s balanced attack. With upcoming games against ranked teams, Oklahoma needs a strong performance to keep their NCAA Tournament hopes alive.
Betting Prediction
Florida is favored by 15.5 points, with a total set at 157.5. The Gators have been reliable against the spread, covering in 22 of their last 37 games. Oklahoma has struggled, covering in only 13 of its last 32.
Florida’s home dominance and Oklahoma’s road struggles suggest the Gators should control the game. Florida’s defense should limit Oklahoma’s shooting, while their balanced scoring attack will create problems for the Sooners. Expect Florida to win and cover the spread.
Pick: Florida -15.5
The Gators win this one and win it easily.
