Kentucky Wildcats vs Florida Gators Prediction, 1/6/2024 College Basketball Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Kentucky Wildcats vs Florida Gators

Date: Saturday, January 6, 2024

Location: Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center in Gainesville, FL

TV: ESPN

Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center is the site where the Florida Gators (10-3) will attempt to defeat the Kentucky Wildcats (10-2) on Saturday.

The Kentucky Wildcats stepped onto the hardwood against Illinois State and took home the win by a score of 96-70 in their last contest. Kentucky ended the contest with a 57.1% field goal percentage (36 of 63) and knocked down 11 of 25 three-point attempts. From the free throw line, the Wildcats buried 13 of their 17 shots for a rate of 76.5%. When talking about pulling down boards, they compiled 35 with 5 of them being of the offensive variety. They also recorded 23 dimes for this contest as well as creating 8 turnovers and having 7 steals. In reference to defense, Kentucky allowed the other team to shoot 32.9% from the floor on 26 out of 79 shooting. Illinois State totaled 13 dimes and had 3 steals in the matchup. On top of that, Illinois State snagged 40 rebounds (20 offensive, 20 defensive), but didn't notch a block. Illinois State walked away from this one shooting 55.6% when shooting free throws by making 10 of 18 attempts. They also knocked down 8 out of their 35 shots from three-point range. In the matter of fouls, the Wildcats walked away with 16 and Illinois State recorded 18 fouls.

Antonio Reeves is a guy who played a role in the game. He finished the contest at 66.7% from the field and distributed 2 dimes. He was on the hardwood for 34 minutes played and also pulled down 6 rebounds. He racked up 27 points on 10 of 15 shooting.

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Kentucky enters this matchup with a win-loss record of 10-2 on the year. They average 91.1 points per outing (4th in D-1) while hitting 50.3% from the field. The Wildcats are hitting 41.6% on shots from beyond the arc (127 of 305) and 73.6% from the charity stripe. As a team, Kentucky is snagging 38.3 boards per contest and has totaled 233 assists on the year, which ranks 32nd in Division 1 in terms of passing the ball. They lose possession via turnover 9.4 times per game and as a basketball team they commit 15.3 fouls every game.

On the defensive end, the Wildcats are forcing their opponents into 14.2 turnovers per game and they draw 16.5 personal fouls. They give up 31.2% on shots from beyond the arc and they are 241st in Division 1 in points per game allowed (73.4). The Wildcats are giving up a field goal percentage of 41.3% (312 of 755) and they relinquish 36.5 boards per game as a squad. They currently rank 172nd in college basketball in allowing assists to the opposition with 170 surrendered on the campaign.

The last time they took the hardwood, the Florida Gators got the victory with a final of 97-72 when they faced Quinnipiac. Concerning how they attacked the glass, Florida permitted Quinnipiac to grab 40 in all (17 on the offensive side). They went 22.7% from distance by connecting on 5 out of 22 and ended up going 17 out of 23 from the free throw line (73.9%). The Gators allowed Quinnipiac to convert 25 out of 75 attempts from the floor which gave them a shooting percentage of 33.3% for the matchup. In all, the Gators finished shooting 35 for 68 from the field which gave them a shooting percentage of 51.5%. When talking about shots from 3-point land, Florida converted 10 of 26 attempts (38.5%). They were able to knock down 17 of the free throw tries for a clip of 58.6%. Quinnipiac was called for 21 fouls in the matchup which took the Gators to the charity stripe for 29 tries. They gave up possession of the ball 13 times, while getting 6 steals in the matchup. The Gators were able to collect 32 defensive boards and 15 offensive boards totaling 47 for the matchup.

Will Richard was important for the Gators for the contest. He knocked down 8 of 13 for the game for a field goal percentage of 61.5%, and had 3 rebounds. He accumulated 22 points in his 20 mins on the hardwood, but went home with no dimes.

Florida has a record of 10-3 on the campaign. The Gators are committing 17.3 personal fouls per contest and they connect on 65.4% from the charity stripe. They are dishing out assists 16.8 times per contest (39th in college basketball) and they are turning it over 13.5 times per game. Florida has totaled 1,122 points for the season (86.3 per contest) and they pull in 45.4 rebounds per contest. When it comes to executing on offense, the Gators are connecting on 47.2% from the floor, which is 78th in D-1.

The Gators on the defensive end are ranked 251st in the nation in points allowed per contest with 73.7. They are able to force 12.1 TO's every game and allow teams to shoot 41.0% from the field (94th in the nation). The Florida defense concedes 34.1% on 3-point shots (92 of 270) and their opponents are knocking down 67.9% of their free throw attempts. They have relinquished 11.5 dimes and 34.2 total boards per game, which ranks them 84th and 150th in D-1.

Who will win tonight's NCAA basketball game against the spread?

Guy Bruhn's Pick: Take Florida

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