Alabama vs. Florida Odds
| Alabama Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -115 | 150 -110o / -110u | +100 |
| Florida Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 -105 | 150 -110o / -110u | -122 |
We've got a good one in the SEC on Wednesday night, as Alabama heads to Gainesville to take on Florida.
Bama enters this game 1-0 in the league after its come-from-behind victory at home against Tennessee last week.
The Tide have some impressive non-conference wins, most notably against Gonzaga and Houston. There's also a few surprising losses, including to Iona and Davidson.
Similarly to last year, when Alabama shoots it well from distance it can play with anybody in the country, and when it struggles from behind the arc, the Tide can be vulnerable.
This is a team with lofty goals for the year, and a road victory over Florida would be a really nice resume win.
As for the Gators, Wednesday night marks Florida's first conference game of the season after COVID-19 postponed last week's trip to Oxford.
The Ohio State win continues to look better and better for the Gators, and the home loss to Texas Southern continues to be one of the more puzzling outcomes of the entire season.
Mike White's team has plenty of talent, and I expect it to get better as the year goes on with some new faces continuing to gel.
Both of these teams should be among the best in the SEC this year, so I'm excited to watch how this game plays out.
Alabama Crimson Tide
Alabama is once again among the top-15 teams in the country in 21-22. The Tide boast an extremely high-powered offense, led by Jahvon Quinerly and Jaden Shackelford.
In the comeback win against Tennessee, redshirt senior forward Noah Gurley provided 20 points off the bench on 8-of-10 shooting. Gurley is a grad transfer from Furman, and Nate Oats would be a very happy man if Gurley can continue to give the Tide another scoring option off the bench.
Alabama is not quite as strong on the defensive end, but it is holding opponents under 30% shooting from 3-point range.
Freshman center Charles Bediako continues to be counted on to play heavy minutes, and he will have to hold his own on the boards against Colin Castleton on Wednesday night.
Florida Gators
The Gators have gotten back on track in their last two outings after a disappointing loss to Maryland at the Barclays Center.
There may not be a more important player for Florida than guard Tyree Appleby. When the Gators suffered back-to-back losses earlier in the year to Oklahoma and Texas Southern, Appleby went a combined 3-of-19 from the floor in those contests.
Appleby has been much better in other games, including against Cal and Maryland.
The senior needs to be more consistent in conference play to help get this offense to the next level.
Defensively, Florida has been pretty darn steady throughout the year. Opponents are turning the ball over on 25% of their trips in the half court against the Gators.
On top of that, out of 357 Division 1 teams, UF comes in at 22nd in Block% and ninth in Steal%, meaning most of these turnovers have been generated from the Gators' pressure.
Guarding the 3-point line and holding Alabama to one shot will be paramount for Florida to slow down the potent Tide offensive attack.
Alabama vs. Florida Betting Pick
I'm rolling with the Gators to secure the home victory in what should be a well-played game Wednesday night.
I think Florida has the ability to expose the Alabama defense in a few areas that should prove to be the difference. The Tide don't really turn opponents over, and they are allowing teams to shoot over 50% on 2pFG's.
Expect Castleton to have a big night on the interior, as the big man continues to be very efficient when he catches it in the low post.
If Myreon Jones and Appleby can make some shots from the outside, Florida will be in for a big night offensively.
On the other end of the ball, Florida comes in at 26th in the country in adjusted defensive efficiency, and the Gators are holding opponents to 28.7% shooting from 3-point range.
Alabama will be one of the better offenses Florida has faced, but I still trust the Gators' defense to guard.
There may not be many students at the O'Dome due to holiday break, but the Gators will still protect home court.
