Florida (9-6, 1-2 SEC) at #24 Mississippi State (12-3, 0-2 SEC)
Tip: 6:00 PM CT TV: SEC Network
Both teams look to jump start their seasons after tough starts to SEC play.
Florida Team Stats
Points per game: 69.7 MSU: 80.1
Points per game allowed: 61.2 MSU: 69.0
FG%: 42.6% MSU: 47.9%
FG% Allowed: 39.9% MSU: 42.8%
3P%: 34.4% MSU: 38.0%
3P% Allowed: 30.3% MSU: 34.4%
Florida Team Leaders
Noah Locke (Fr.): 10.4 ppg
KeVaughn Allen (Sr.): 11.3 ppg
Kevarrius Hayes (Sr.): 6.8 ppg, 6.0 rpg
Florida is having trouble scoring the basketball so far in SEC play . Crazy enough, their only win so far in league play over Arkansas was their lowest output of 57 (57-51). They are led by freshman Noah Locke and senior KeVaughn Allen who lead the points per game average by nearly 8 points in conference play. They will be very similar to Ole Miss in that they will move the ball in an attempt to get a lot of clean look from 3. The Gators are averaging a 3-point attempt on 45% of their shots so look for that to continue. Also, in the past few games, they have tended to go with a smaller, more athletic lineup similar to the one we saw cause us so much trouble Saturday. It will be imperative we improve our perimeter defense with whoever is on the floor and Coach Howland plays the matchups to give us the best chance to win. Players to watch at the 4 position tonight would be Keith Stone and Jalen Hudson. Both have struggled to start SEC play but as we have seen this could change very quickly if they see the ball go through the net a couple of times.
On the Mississippi State side of things, the Bulldogs will be going up against a team that has played good defense this season. The Gators are holding their opponents well below what the Bulldogs are averaging in nearly every statistical category. A key for the Bulldogs will be to have an attention to detail in their execution to limit turnovers and let the offense come to them. Against Ole Miss when the Rebels switched to their 1-3-1 half court trap early in the game, Mississippi State looked very prepared and picked it apart very well. However, when the Rebels switched out of it back to man, the execution level dropped and they were unable to adapt as well. The Bulldogs (PG Lamar Peters specifically) need to relax and establish some structure on offense that will lead to open shots and a higher percentage shooting the ball. The back cuts were also very effective at times with penetration and I think it is something Mississippi State does well when they are focused.
Overall, Florida is playing almost exactly to the averages Mississippi State has allowed in defensive categories. If Mississippi State will get back to the defensive level it had at the end of last season and some of this season, the Gators should have trouble getting the offense going and it should be a good opportunity get a win. However, if the defensive effort does not improve, it could be a long game and a struggle to the end. I hope Coach Howland will get the freshmen Perry and Woodard some additional minutes as they played well the other day and the matchup today I think lends itself to their styles of play. I am 0-2 on predictions so I will stay out of it, but I do think it is a good chance to get the train back on the tracks.
Tip: 6:00 PM CT TV: SEC Network
Both teams look to jump start their seasons after tough starts to SEC play.
Florida Team Stats
Points per game: 69.7 MSU: 80.1
Points per game allowed: 61.2 MSU: 69.0
FG%: 42.6% MSU: 47.9%
FG% Allowed: 39.9% MSU: 42.8%
3P%: 34.4% MSU: 38.0%
3P% Allowed: 30.3% MSU: 34.4%
Florida Team Leaders
Noah Locke (Fr.): 10.4 ppg
KeVaughn Allen (Sr.): 11.3 ppg
Kevarrius Hayes (Sr.): 6.8 ppg, 6.0 rpg
Florida is having trouble scoring the basketball so far in SEC play . Crazy enough, their only win so far in league play over Arkansas was their lowest output of 57 (57-51). They are led by freshman Noah Locke and senior KeVaughn Allen who lead the points per game average by nearly 8 points in conference play. They will be very similar to Ole Miss in that they will move the ball in an attempt to get a lot of clean look from 3. The Gators are averaging a 3-point attempt on 45% of their shots so look for that to continue. Also, in the past few games, they have tended to go with a smaller, more athletic lineup similar to the one we saw cause us so much trouble Saturday. It will be imperative we improve our perimeter defense with whoever is on the floor and Coach Howland plays the matchups to give us the best chance to win. Players to watch at the 4 position tonight would be Keith Stone and Jalen Hudson. Both have struggled to start SEC play but as we have seen this could change very quickly if they see the ball go through the net a couple of times.
On the Mississippi State side of things, the Bulldogs will be going up against a team that has played good defense this season. The Gators are holding their opponents well below what the Bulldogs are averaging in nearly every statistical category. A key for the Bulldogs will be to have an attention to detail in their execution to limit turnovers and let the offense come to them. Against Ole Miss when the Rebels switched to their 1-3-1 half court trap early in the game, Mississippi State looked very prepared and picked it apart very well. However, when the Rebels switched out of it back to man, the execution level dropped and they were unable to adapt as well. The Bulldogs (PG Lamar Peters specifically) need to relax and establish some structure on offense that will lead to open shots and a higher percentage shooting the ball. The back cuts were also very effective at times with penetration and I think it is something Mississippi State does well when they are focused.
Overall, Florida is playing almost exactly to the averages Mississippi State has allowed in defensive categories. If Mississippi State will get back to the defensive level it had at the end of last season and some of this season, the Gators should have trouble getting the offense going and it should be a good opportunity get a win. However, if the defensive effort does not improve, it could be a long game and a struggle to the end. I hope Coach Howland will get the freshmen Perry and Woodard some additional minutes as they played well the other day and the matchup today I think lends itself to their styles of play. I am 0-2 on predictions so I will stay out of it, but I do think it is a good chance to get the train back on the tracks.