There was a time when FSU basketball owned the rival Florida Gators in the Leonard Hamilton era. However, that rivalry has flipped in recent years, with the Gators winning the last three contests comfortably.
Both teams enter Friday evening's game 3-0 against subpar competition. The Gators are small betting favorites on the road at -5.5, with a 158.5 over/under point total. Those odds at DraftKings imply a high-scoring 82-77 affair favoring the Gators.
Florida is the more efficient offensive team. They average more points, shoot a higher percentage overall, make more free throws, and shoot slightly better from the three-point line.
They also rebound better and turn the ball over less. However, FSU has made its living by using its defense as offense, forcing 12 steals per game using their size and length. The Gators have four guys averaging double-figures and go about eight deep on their rotation.
Jamir Watkins is the only FSU player averaging double figures (18.3 ppg). However, FSU has the deeper team, with about 10 guys averaging at least 10 minutes per game.
The keys to winning this game will be limiting turnovers, making free throws, rebounding well, and will have to shoot the ball better from the three-point line than they have in the first three games (21 percent).
The Gators crash the boards offensively, as 34 percent of their rebounds are on the offensive end. Florida only averages 10.7 turnovers per game, so FSU will have to continue using their defense to convert those turnovers into points on the offensive end. Florida hasn't shot the three-pointer well thus far, but they lit it up from long-range against the Noles last year.
The game will begin at 6 p.m. and will air on the ACC Network.