Florida basketball vs Kentucky storylines, players to watch, prediction

The regular-season finale is here and Florida basketball is still the hottest team in the country as the Gators travel to face Kentucky on Saturday, March 7 at 4 p.m.

Both teams have plenty to play for as UF is chasing a No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA tournament while the Wildcats are battling for seeding in the SEC tournament. Kentucky could be a as high as the four seed and as low as a 10 seed.

Advertisement

The Gators (24-6, 15-2 SEC) come off their 10th straight win after defeating Mississippi State 108-74, while the Wildcats (19-11, 10-7) have dropped two of their last four after most recently fell to Texas A&M 96-85.

“They obviously lost a tough one to A&M, but this is a big game for them on Saturday and I would anticipate they’re going to give it all they got to take care of business on their home floor,” Florida coach Todd Golden said. “For us, probably not a lot’s going to change in regards to how we’re preparing for them or what we’re gonna do. And it’s similar to the first time, we got to make sure we’re physical.”

What happened last time vs Kentucky?

The Gators defeated Kentucky 92-83 at the O’Dome less than a month ago.

Advertisement

Xaivian Lee led UF with 22 points and 19 from Urvan Klavzar. The duo hit nine of the Gators’ 18 shots from the 3-point line in that game. Thomas Haugh and Rueben Chinyelu each recorded a double-double.

Former Gator Denzel Aberdeen led Kentucky with 19 points but shot 8-for-21.

Otega Oweh, the SEC Preseason Player of the Year was held to 13 points, while Collin Chandler was 5 of 7 from the 3-point line.

“Chandler’s just shot it so well in league play,” Golden said. “You just can’t really give him any space. And you got to live with it if he beats you off the dribble a little bit.

“He’s a unique player being a face-up driving four that’s a lefty. There’s not many of those in our league. I think his quickness and toughness got us a little bit in the first game. We’ll be ready. It’ll be coached. It’ll be prepared…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/florida-basketball-vs-kentucky-storylines-185844914.html

Author :

Publish date : 2026-03-06 18:58:00

Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.