South Carolina at Florida 2/3/21 - College Basketball Picks & Predictions

By: Lance |

Last Updated: 02/02/2021 at 11:01 PM ET

The South Carolina Gamecocks travel on teh road to Exactech Arena to take on the Florida Gators. The Gators have rattled off four in a row and are coming off a massive road win over West Virginia, outlasting the Mountaineers and improving to 10-4 (6-3 conference) on the year. South Carolina has lost four of their last five and is coming off a road-loss to Vanderbilt dropping to 4-6 (2-3 conference).

Florida, despite the loss of its best player after Keyontae Johnson collapsed in the middle of the 4th game of the year, has been solid on the offensive end. A ton of guys have stepped up and led the Gators to the nation’s 56th ranked scoring offense averaging 78.4 points per game. 

Sophomore guard Tre Man has emerged as a number one scoring option in the backcourt averaging 14.3 points on an impressive 42.4% from three on over 4 attempts per game. Junior forward Colin Castleton has led the frontcourt averaging 13.4 points and pulls down a team-high 5.5 rebounds per game. It’s been a team effort and the Gators are 41st in effective field-goal percentage.

South Carolina comes in averaging 75.4 points per game ranking 95th in the country in scoring offense but are shooting just 43.2% from the field. The Gamecocks love to push the tempo and play at the 15th adjusted tempo but have struggled with efficiency and have been unable to stop anyone on the defensive end. 

The uptempo offense is led by junior guard AJ Lawson, he’s averaging 17.2 points on 43.6% shooting and knocking down 37% of his 7.7 attempts from beyond the arc. Junior forward Keyshawn Bryan is the leading scoring option in the frontcourt averaging 15.4 points on 53.8% shooting and is second on the team in rebounding 5.4. 

The Gamecocks defense is 298th in scoring defense and allowing 76.5 points per game and opponents are shooting 45% from the field. South Carolina is 83rd in KenPom adjusted defense and is 216th in effective field-goal percentage. Florida is allowing 71 points per game and is ranking 200th in scoring defense. Opponents are shooting 42.2% from the field and the Gators are 50th in KenPom adjusted defense. 

The Gators have turned a corner and are coming off a huge win on the road over a ranked opponent and continue their win streak against a bad South Carolina defense. Florida has recovered from the loss of Johnson and looks to still be a force in the SEC despite missing their best player and a ton of role guys have stepped up in the absence. The Gators keep it rolling at home and get their fifth straight win. Final score prediction, Florida wins and covers ATS 81-69.

Download the Picks and Parlays Mobile App

Get A free VIP Pick Daily!