Calling the Hogs! Scouting report, prediction as No. 8 Florida basketball plays at Arkansas

[ad_1]

Florida basketball showed it belongs in the conversation with the elite teams in college basketball in the 2024-25 season with its 30-point rout over No. 1 Tennessee in its SEC home opener.

The No. 8 Florida Gators (14-1, 1-1 SEC) will look to build off that performance when they play Saturday at Arkansas (4 p.m. ET, Arkansas).

The Razorbacks (11-4, 0-2 SEC) are coming off a 73-66 home loss to No. 22 Ole Miss on Wednesday night. Under first year coach John Calipari, Arkansas beat Miami and No. 23 Michigan during its non-conference schedule.

Calipari left Kentucky to coach at Arkansas after a leading the Wildcats to four Final Four appearances and a national championship in 15 seasons.

“Their team is very talented,” Florida basketball coach Todd Golden said. “Like always, especially in Year 1 of a program, it takes time to get guys on the same page. It takes time to get guys comfortable playing with each other. I think they’re a team that’s going to be really dangerous especially as conference play continues on and those guys get more and more comfortable playing together.”

Florida starting center Reuben Chinyelu said he’s confident that UF won’t let down after its first win over a No. 1 team in the regular season in school history.

“It’s something to build on but that’s in the past,” Chinyelu said. “So what’s on my mind right now and what is on the coaches minds and my teammates’ minds is we are about to play Arkansas.”

Here are three storylines for Florida to watch against the Razorbacks:

Which defense will show up for Florida basketball at Arkansas?

Florida went from allowing 106 points on 57.8% shooting in its 106-100 loss at No. 7 Kentucky to giving up just 43 points on 21.4% shooting in its 73-43 win over No. 1 Tennessee. The 12 field goals Florida basketball allowed against the Vols was the fewest in an SEC game since March 2, 2005 against Georgia.

Playing defense back on the road presents a different challenge due to the potential for fatigue and foul trouble.

“Hoping for a…

[ad_2]
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/calling-hogs-scouting-report-prediction-211720790.html

Author : The Gainesville Sun

Publish date : 2025-01-10 21:17:00

Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.