South Carolina at Florida 2012 College Basketball Predictions: The Florida Gators, host the struggling South Carolina Gamecocks at the O’Connell Center in Gainesville, Fla., in Southeast Conference men’s college basketball action Thursday night. Florida is ranked No. 12 in the AP Poll and No. 11 in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll. The Gators, at 17-4 and 5-1 in SEC play are second in the league behind No. 1 Kentucky while the Gamecocks are near the bottom with a 9-11 overall record and 1-5 SEC mark. ESPN2 will televise the game with a late Eastern Time start of 9 pm.
Oddsmakers at offshore sportsbook TopBet.com list the Gators as 14-chalk College Basketball Odds favorites with a 133.5 combined score (over/under) total. Carolina backers are getting +900 on the offshore moneyline while the price of a winning SU wager on Florida is -1,400 ($1,400 to win $100).
In the SEC statistical standings South Carolina ranks first in rebounding defense (31.7), second in steals per game (7.4), fourth in turnover margin (+1.5) and is fourth in the SEC in offensive rebounding (13.0). In strictly SEC games, South Carolina collects 8.2 steals per contest, which ranks second in the league. The Gamecocks have out-rebounded 12 of 20 opponents this season, including North Carolina, who leads the nation in rebounding margin at +11.7, and Kentucky, who ranks 11th in the category and leads the SEC with a +7.8 mark. Senior forward Malik Cooke ranks third in the SEC with 2.0 steals per game. South Carolina ranks fifth in the SEC and among the nation’s top 40 with 4.9 blocks per game. Sophomore forward Damontre Harris ranks among the top 40 with 2.1 blocks per game.
The Gators have won five straight entering Thursday’s matchup. Florida is undefeated in home games this season with an 11-0 record. Florida leads the nation in made 3-point field goals per game with 10.6 per outing, and also leads the nation in assist to turnover ratio at 1.55. The Gators’ 80.7 points per game in overall games leads the SEC. Florida holds a 38-22 upperhand in the all-time series with South Carolina, including a 17-7 advantage in games played in Gainesville. Florida earned a 79-65 victory in the first meeting of 2012 between the two schools in Columbia.
Game Prediction: The Gators will win this one easily and cover the -14 chalk. My Pick – Gators -14.
The 2011-12 College Basketball Season is now in full swing as schools have begun the battle for conference championships in pursuit of March Madness. College sports handicapper Reno Gold will be making College Basketball Odds picks through all of March Madness and the NCAA Tournament. The good news for college sports bettors – RENO’S PICKS ARE FREE. Check daily for Reno Gold’s opinion on all the top games each week for free. We also encourage you to sign up to get Free NCAA Basketball Picks now!
