Oddsmakers are expecting a close one when a couple of SEC foes meet up in the NCAAB LSU at Florida pick. The Gators are just -1 point favorites at home despite their 4-1 record to start the season. Louisiana State is hot out of the gates too though, beginning the year 6-1.
Saturday’s tilt should be a high scoring one, as LSU’s 86.9 ppg are 15th best in the nation. Florida can score the basketball too though, dropping 91 points on Vanderbilt on Wednesday while hitting 50.7% of their shots from the field on the season. Florida dominated this game in Gainesville last season, winning 81-66 as -5 point favorites. The ‘over’ has hit in 16 of the last 21 games between the two.
LSU Has Best Player on the Court
There’s definitely value on the Tigers heading into the NCAAB LSU at Florida pick, because Cameron Thomas can keep this team in any game. The super talented freshman is the #4 scorer in the nation at 24.1 ppg, and has put up at least 16 points in every game this season.
Thomas seems to just be getting better too, as he went for a career high 32 points on Tuesday against Texas A&M. The Tigers are hardly a one man band however, as Trendon Watford averages 16.8 and Darius Days 15.0 ppg. That talented trio has helped LSU rank 15th in scoring and 18th in field goal percentage.
LSU is still no sure thing for Saturday afternoon’s tilt. They failed basically their only big test of the season so, falling 85-81 to St. Louis as +2.5 road underdogs. That was LSU’s only road game of the year so far, and each of their 8 wins came as -8 favorites or more.
Florida Seeking Statement Win
Both teams have received top 25 votes in the coaches poll, so it’s possible the winner of Saturday’s tilt can enter the rankings next week. The Gators can make a big statement with a victory over one of the best players in the country, but UF is really just happy to get back into some normalcy.
The Gators were off December 12th to December 30th as they decided to pause games after star Keyontae Johnson recovers from heart issues. Johnson is out for the year after a terrifying collapse in the loss to Florida State, but is recovering and has even visited teammates.
The loss of Johnson, who was voted the SEC preseason player of the year, is huge for the Gators moving forward. The team did have a very nice bounce back in a 91-72 win over Vanderbilt on Wednesday led by an 11-13 shooting night from Colin Castelton. The Gators were 34-55 from the field vs. the Commodores, but Vandy is also in last place in the conference.
Free NCAAB LSU at Florida Pick
LSU hasn’t faced much of a challenge yet this season, but we still don’t know how good of a team Florida is without their leader Johnson. 73% of the public likes LSU, yet the line hasn’t moved. When the Tigers look this easy, it’s time to fade.
Florida 74 – LSU 71
Free Pick: Florida -1
