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Florida Gators basketball vs USF preview

By TJ Ostrander

Dec 8, 2021; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators guard Brandon McKissic (23) shoots the ball during the first half against the North Florida Ospreys at Billy Donovan Court at Exactech Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 8, 2021; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators guard Brandon McKissic (23) shoots the ball during the first half against the North Florida Ospreys at Billy Donovan Court at Exactech Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 8, 2021; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators basketball guard Brandon McKissic (23) shoots the ball during the first half against the North Florida Ospreys at Billy Donovan Court at Exactech Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 8, 2021; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators basketball guard Brandon McKissic (23) shoots the ball during the first half against the North Florida Ospreys at Billy Donovan Court at Exactech Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports /

4-4. 526. Saturday, December 18. . 1 PM ET. 7-3. Bally Sports Sun. 477

The always controversial Mike White takes his Florida Gators basketball team(7-3) down to Sunrise to play South Florida(4-4) this weekend. The Gators come into the game having lost 3 of their last 4 games, while South Florida has literally played win one- lose one basketball all season.

ABOUT USF: 

The Bulls bring really no impressive stats into this match-up with the Gators. South Florida averages 56.9 points a game this year, an extremely underwhelming number. That slates the Bulls at 352nd overall in points per game this year. Oh, incase you’re wondering there is only 358 Division 1 teams. South Florida also is 352nd in shooting percentage on the year. As you could maybe possibly imagine, they’re also 357th in three-point shooting. There’s really no need to go into much more detail here, you can get the picture. Despite these numbers the Bulls are sitting an even 4-4 on the season. South Florida has an extremely stingy defense this season and have allowed opponents to score over 60 points just twice so far. They held a good Auburn team to just 58 points a few weeks ago. Offense is a big problem for this team.

Gator 3 Keys: 

1.The Gators need to come out and take care of the ball in this one. Don’t give USF any unnecessary extra possessions. You know they struggle to score, don’t give them more chances.

2.South Florida doesn’t give much on the defense side of the ball so Florida needs to be able to spread the ball around and create some open looks.

3. Get Colin Castleton involved as much as possible. He has been your leading scorer all year, let him keep it rolling. Hopefully he can play a physical style and get himself to the free-throw line often in this game. He is shooting almost 20% below what he shot last season from the line, it is still early in the year and he needs to build some confidence.

Prediction: Florida 73, South Florida 60

South Florida won’t be able to stop the Gators from becoming the first team to house 70 on them this year. As expected, the Bulls lack of offense takes them out of this game.

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