The North Florida Ospreys (0-3) are off to a slow start and will try to get their first win when they challenge the No. 8 Florida Gators (1-0) at Stephen C. OConnell Center. The Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 156.5 points with Florida set as a 30-point favorite. Action starts at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, November 16, 2017, and it can be seen on SEC Network.
North Florida Ospreys vs. Florida Gators ATS Preview
In the Ospreys last game, they fell to the VCU Rams, 95-85. Garrett Sams had a good performance for North Florida, contributing 18 points and 10 rebounds. VCU had a much better free throw rate (0.222 vs. 0.052). North Florida, on the other hand, had a better offensive rebounding percentage (42.2 vs. 39.0).
The Gators come in on a high note after easily covering the 25.5-point spread against the Gardner-Webb Runnin Bulldogs in their last outing, 116-74. With 34 points on 11-for-17 shooting, Egor Koulechov was the top scorer from either team. Florida dominated every facet of the game. They had a turnover percentage of 9.0 and a free throw rate of 0.304. For those same stats, Gardner-Webb put up marks of 16.0 and 0.182, respectively.
Florida could have their way on the offensive side of the ball as their productive offense faces off against one of the worst defenses in the NCAA. The Gators rank 41st in offensive efficiency, while North Florida ranks 312th in defensive efficiency dating back to the 2016-17 season. Moreover, the Ospreys rank 338th in turnover percentage (22.2 percent), while the Gators rank 48th in opponents turnover percentage (21.0 percent).
The Ospreys have had a mediocre 15-22 straight up (SU) record since last season, but have struggled covering the spread (3-4-1 against the spread (ATS)). Vegas has had a tendency to place the total high when North Florida is involved since last season as 71.4 percent of their games have gone under the projected point total.
Meanwhile, the Gators, have records of 25-8 SU and 20-14-1 ATS since last season. Floridas games have had a slight tendency to finish under the O/U total over that same stretch (52.9 percent).
The Gators won the sole game against the Ospreys last season, 91-60. The Gators played a nearly flawless game. They had a turnover percentage of 15.5 and a phenomenal effective field goal percentage of 0.670. For those same stats, the Ospreys were 24.6 and 0.434, respectively.
North Florida Ospreys at Florida Gators Betting Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Florida, ATS Winner – North Florida, O/U – Under
Betting Notes (2016-Present):
- The Gators rank 89th in rebounds per game (37.2) while the Ospreys rank 218th in rebounds allowed per game (36.5).
- Florida ranks 29th in three pointers allowed per game (18.1) while North Florida ranks 141st (20.8).
- Florida ranks fourth in assists allowed per game (9.6) while North Florida ranks 291st (15.7).
- The Gators rank 42nd in steals per game (7.5) while the Ospreys rank 276th in steals allowed per game (8.3).
- Florida ranks 31st in blocks per game (4.9) while North Florida ranks 170th in blocks allowed per game (3.6).
