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Florida basketball: Gators return home to take on struggling Gamecocks

By Will Thomas

Jan 21, 2023; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Florida Gators guard Kyle Lofton (11), guard Myreon Jones (0) and forward Colin Castleton (12) react after defeating the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Humphrey Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 21, 2023; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Florida Gators guard Kyle Lofton (11), guard Myreon Jones (0) and forward Colin Castleton (12) react after defeating the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Humphrey Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Florida basketball is coming off a big win in Starkville over Mississippi State, and now they come home to a much more docile challenger in South Carolina.

The Gamecocks are 8-11 overall and 1-5 in the SEC, with their only conference win coming in an upset over Kentucky in Rupp Arena.

Since that win in Lexington, however, USC jr. is 0-3 and scoring 59 points per game and allowing more than 81. Averaging a 22-point loss isn’t very good, I don’t think.

Despite the team’s struggles, they do have one of the most promising freshmen in the nation.

Gregory “GG” Jackson is a 6’9”-215 forward out of Columbia, SC. So far in his first year, he’s scoring 15.9 points per game and grabbing 6.7 rebounds per game.

He’s a major presence in the paint with a decent enough long ball, shooting the three at a 32.4% rate.

He’s coming off a sensational effort in the Gamecock’s loss to Auburn last weekend, where he scored 30 points and snagged eight rebounds. Despite that game from GG, SC lost by 15 to extend their losing streak.

Even with the presence of GG, Colin Castleton should be licking his chops as he watches the film on South Carolina this week.

The Gamecocks have two forwards who play just about every minute for them in the paint. One is GG who’s 6’9”, and the other is Hayden Brown, who’s just 6’5”.

South Carolina isn’t great at stopping big guys from scoring. Auburn’s Johni Broome had 27 last weekend, and A&M’s Julius Marble and Henry Coleman combined for 26 the game before that.

I called it before the Missouri game, and I’ll call it again now. Castleton has a double-double with at least 16 points.

Additionally, South Carolina is 283rd in the nation at defending the 3-point shot. We saw Will Richard get hot last game from deep, and a few other Gators seemed to find their stroke as well.

If they can compliment Castleton’s dominance in the paint with consistent shooting, this game will be over before you know it.

Keep up with Florida basketball at Hail Florida Hail.

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