The Mississippi State Bulldogs (12-7, 3-3 SEC) will be at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center to meet the Florida Gators (12-7, 4-2 SEC) in a SEC matchup. Action begins at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, January 28, 2020, and can be seen on ESPN2.
Mississippi State Bulldogs at Florida Gators ATS Odds
Both teams lost in their last contest. The Gators fell to the top-ranked Baylor Bears, 72-61, while the Bulldogs lost a winnable game to the Oklahoma Sooners, 63-62.
Mississippi State held Oklahoma to an offensive rebounding percentage of 17.9 (below the 29.8 mark opponents have averaged against Mississippi State this season) while Florida had a much better turnover percentage (10.6 vs. 17.3). Florida’s Andrew Nembhard had a good outing, finishing with 16 points and eight assists. Robert Woodard II played a pivotal role for Mississippi State with 15 points and six rebounds.
The Bulldogs won the lone contest between these two teams last season, 71-68. Mississippi State did an excellent job of making free throws (9-11; 81.8 percent). Florida, meanwhile, had a much better turnover percentage (14.8 vs. 21.8). This is the first time these teams will clash this year.
Half-court execution will be at a premium when a pair of the NCAA’s slowest-paced teams clash. Florida ranks 277th in possessions per game (67.5) and Mississippi State is 317th (66.3). Furthermore, the Bulldogs are among the nation’s elite at getting to the line, ranking 45th in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.272). The Gators, meanhwile, rank 272nd in opponents’ FTA rate (0.256).
Mississippi State at Florida Betting Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Florida, ATS Winner – Mississippi State, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- Florida ranks 198th in three pointers attempted per game (20.3) while Mississippi State ranks 268th (16.9).
- The Gators average 6.2 steals per game, which ranks 147th in the NCAA. The Bulldogs rank 155th in steals allowed per game (7.0).
- The Bulldogs rank 17th in rebounds allowed per game (30.5) while the Gators rank 79th (33.3).
- Both of these teams are great at blocking the ball. Mississippi State is 22nd in the country with 5.2 blocks per game while Florida is 60th with 4.1 blocks per game.
Bettings Trends:
- During their last five games, the Gators have scored an average of 71.6 points per game (1.7 below their season average) and allowed an average of 69.8 points per game (3.2 above their season average).
- The Bulldogs’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 12.8, up from 7.9 for the season.
