Florida at Mississippi State Spread, Free Pick & TV Info

Posted by Michael Hunt on Friday,February 17, 2017 9:24, EDT in

No. 15 Florida is playing as well as any team in the country on a seven-game winning streak and often blowing out their opposition. However, the Gators could be on upset alert Saturday at Mississippi State after UF lost a key contributor to a season-ending injury. The Gators will be favored in the college basketball spreads.

Florida at Mississippi State Spread, Free Pick & TV Info

When: Saturday, Feb. 18, 2 PM ET
Where: Humphrey Coliseum, Starkville
TV: ESPN
Stream: WatchESPN
Radio: Florida / Mississippi State
Opening NCAAB Lines: Florida favored by TBA

Why Bet On Florida?

On Tuesday, the Gators scored the first 9 points out of halftime and went on to rewrite the school record book in a 114-95 win at Auburn. Florida reached 100 points with 5:22 to play and surpassed its season high of 106 (hit Jan. 25 at LSU) with 2:34 to go. When the Gators hit 108, it marked the program’s most points scored in a game over 84 years of SEC basketball, passing the 107-104 double-overtime win at Mississippi State on Feb. 3, 1975.

Florida (21-5, 11-2 SEC) now has seven straight wins — all by at least 9 points — to match its season-best streak and also equal its final win total from coach Mike White’s first season with the program. Veteran guard Canyon Barry led the way with 30 points, the most by any Florida player this season.

Senior point guard Kasey Hill had the second double-double of his career with 10 points and a career- high 12 assists. Sophomore guard KeVaughn Allen had 17 points. Devin Robinson went for 14 points and six rebounds. Senior forward Justin Leon had 10 points and eight rebounds.

Florida shot 56 percent from the field and made 11 of 19 3-point attempts and 37 of 42 free throws. Auburn (16-10, 5-8) became the first team to reach its season average in regulation against the Gators, but couldn’t slow them down on the other end. The game was so dominated by offense that 13 players scored in double figures. It was also easily the most points allowed by a Florida team that came in giving up 65.2 points per game.

However, UF center John Ebunu went down with a knee injury and the game and has been diagnosed with a season-ending torn ACL. He ends his season averaging 7.8 points and as Florida’s current leading rebounder, at 6.6 rebounds per game and within the nation’s top 100 in individual offensive rebounding percentage and block percentage. With Egbunu out, White will look to senior Justin Leon and sophomore Kevarrius Hayes for more production down low. Leon is averaging 12.7 points and 6.7 rebounds in his past three games, while Hayes had nine points against Auburn.

Why Bet On Mississippi State?

The Bulldogs (14-11, 5-8) can only play the role of spoiler at this point, although they could potentially be an NIT team. Georgia shot 66.7 percent from the field in the second half to pull away to a 79-72 win against Mississippi State Tuesday night.

MSU led by seven points twice in the first half and held a 32-28 lead at halftime. Georgia scored the first couple of baskets in the second half and things remained tight until the home team surged late. Georgia broke a 54-54 tie with eight straight points.

“We did a good job defensively in the first half,” MSU coach Ben Howland said. “We should have had a larger lead. In the second half, they exploited us defensively. With six minutes to go it’s a tied game and we had too many turnovers. “

MSU placed four players in double figures. Mario Kegler, Quinndary Weatherspoon and Lamar Peters each had 14 points, while Xavian Stapleton had 11 points. Georgia held a 37-30 rebounding advantage. MSU had 13 assists and 15 turnovers, while Georgia had 17 assists and 16 turnovers.

MSU seeks its 15th win this season, the most since having 21 in 2012. KenPom.com has MSU as the least experienced team of all 351 DI programs at .69. Over the course of the last decade, Mississippi State’s Humphrey Coliseum has become a difficult venue for opposing teams. Last year, MSU was 10-5, including a 5-1 mark against non-conference foes. This year, MSU is 9-4.

Florida at Mississippi State Free Pick:

This is the only scheduled meeting between UF and MSU, and I like the Bulldogs to potentially pull the upset – so certainly take the points.