The Florida Gators are riding high on a wave of momentum, showing no signs of slowing down as they extend their win streak. Currently sitting comfortably with a two-game lead at the top of the SEC, the Gators are set to face off against a struggling Ole Miss team this Saturday, Feb. 21, at noon on ESPN.
Florida, boasting a 20-6 record and an impressive 11-2 in the SEC, recently secured a 76-62 victory over South Carolina, marking their sixth consecutive win. Meanwhile, Ole Miss, with an 11-15 record and just 3-10 in the conference, is coming off a close 80-77 loss to Texas A&M, marking their eighth straight defeat. The Rebels have been losing by an average of 10.9 points during this rough patch.
The Rebels have had a tough season, especially after reaching the Sweet 16 last year. The team had to integrate 12 new players in the offseason, which has contributed to their struggles in finding offensive rhythm and maintaining a strong presence on the boards.
With an average of 74.2 points per game, Ole Miss ranks last in the SEC and 241st nationally. Their rebounding stats aren’t much better, sitting near the bottom of the conference.
For Florida, these stats are a welcome sight. The Gators are one of the best rebounding teams in the nation, averaging 46 rebounds per game and leading the country with 16.4 offensive rebounds per game. This dominance on the boards is expected to play a significant role in their upcoming matchup.
Ole Miss relies heavily on their top scorer, AJ Storr, who averages 14.8 points and 3.4 rebounds per game. However, the overall metrics aren't in their favor.
A loss to Ole Miss would be a setback for Florida, who are making a strong case for a No. 2 seed in the tournament. The Rebels are ranked No. 91 as of Feb. 20, with a 1-11 record against Quadrant 1 teams, and a combined 10-4 against Quad 3-4 teams.
In terms of rankings, Ole Miss stands at No. 79 on KenPom, No. 85 on Bart Torvick, and No. 74 in EvanMiya. A victory for Florida would count as a Quadrant 2 win, adding to their 5-1 record against Quad 2 teams this season.
Prediction for the game? Expect Florida to come out on top with an 84-67 victory.
The Gators' frontcourt is likely to dominate, especially on the boards, paving the way for a comfortable win. Look for Rueben Chinyelu to potentially secure another double-double, further solidifying Florida’s stronghold at the top of the SEC.