South Carolina vs. Florida Total Pick
With two SEC team meeting in today’s East Regional Final, will No. 4 Florida and No. 7 South Carolina play in a defensive battle 2:20PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at BetDSI, Florida is favored in this game, as the Gators are getting odds of -3 points against the Gamecocks. The over/under total for the game is listed at 134.5 points. These two split the season series, with the home team winning each meeting. Today’s game is the East Regional Final and takes place from Madison Square Garden in New York and will air on CBS.
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Florida comes into today’s game at 27-8 overall following an 84-83 OT win over Wisconsin in the Sweet 16. The Gators are 18-15 with the under this season after hitting the over against the Badgers. Florida has hit the under in five of their last seven games, including two of three in March Madness. On the season, Florida averages 78.1 points per game on offense while allowing 66.2 on defense. Over its last five, Florida is putting up just 72.4 on offense while giving up 66.4 on defense.
South Carolina is 25-10 overall following its 70-50 win over Baylor on Friday night. The Gamecocks are now 18-13-1 with the under this season after hitting the under against the Bears. They are actually 2-1 with the over in the NCAA Tournament after putting up 93 points in their first game and 88 in the second round. South Carolina averages 72.6 points per game on offense while allowing 64.9 on defense. Over their last five, the Gamecocks are averaging 74.8 on offense and giving up 68.6 on defense.
In the two meetings with Florida this season, South Carolina was held to 57 points at home and 66 at Florida. The Gators managed to score 81 at home, but had just 53 on the road. I think today’s game should be more like the meeting at SC. The Gamecocks have been hot on offense, but Florida knows what to expect and should have a defensive game plan that can limit what they will do. Florida’s legs should be a little spent after an OT win about 36 hours ago. I don’t think they will have the same spring in their step on offense.
ELITE 8 PREDICTION: SOUTH CAROLINA/FLORIDA UNDER 134.5