Florida Gators vs Kentucky Wildcats Match Preview – Players to Watch, Head to Head, and Prediction

The Florida Gators will lock horns with the Kentucky Wildcats at the O’Connell Center on Saturday. The Gators will enter the game with a 10-3 stat whereas the Wildcats will have a tally of 10-2. The Kentucky is also posited at the sixth spot in the AP men’s Poll.

This is going to be an important match of the SEC and help in deciding the dominating team in the conference.

Players to Watch

The Gators have found an impressive guard in Walter Clayton Jr. He averages 15.2 points per game with 3.8 rebounds per contest. He occupies the top position in the Gators’ points tally. Clayton Jr. will have to make sure that he stands tall to his name in this match if the Gators are to make anything of this contest.

Another player to look forward to will be Gators’ forward Tyrese Samuel. He has basketed 14.3 points per game and stands atop the list with 8.8 rebounds per match. He has also vehemently overtaken his teammates in terms of steals seizing 1.5 per game.  The duo will have to perform exceptionally well against the Kentucky if they want to turn tides in their favor.

The Kentucky occupy the sixth spot in the AP Men’s Poll and rightfully so due to their guard Antonio Reeves. He has soused 19 points per game and has been the apha for his team. The Kentucky will look to gain a lot from him and keep him at the center of the action. Other than that he has decent defensive skills grabbing 4.3 rebounds per outing.

Another player who will be at the center of things will be their guard Rob Dillingham. He has played the second fiddle throughout the tournament with 14.3 points per match. He also has a commendable defensive finesse with 3.8 rebounds per game.

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If the Kentucky are to win, then Dillingham will have to pierce his rival’s walls and perform his best.

Head to Head

The Kentucky have outclassed their opponents by a towering margin of 107-41 and also lead the SEC Championship game with a 3-2 tally. The rivalry has been more pronounced in the recent times with the Kentucky having a 24-17 lead beginning in 2005. Although, the Florida have a 2-1 control in the last three SEC Championship Games, it will be interesting to watch who has the better of the game and notch up a point in the rivalry. 

Prediction

Both the teams have a similar style of pace and play. Both have had a vulnerable defense this season. It can be a point showering match with both of them concentrating on their offensive skills. The Wildcats might have an edge over their rivals due to their three-pointer shooting.

Overall, the game can sway in the Wildcats’ favor if the Gators are not able to utilize their rebounding skills to the fullest. Either way, a close contest is guaranteed.

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