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Carrie Stroup here with your Florida vs. Arizona betting line for Saturday’s College Basketball. Open an online wagering account at Sportsbook.com and receive up to $250 in FREE CASH here.
Sportsbook.ag Line & Total: Florida -3.5 & 134.5
A couple of unbeaten top-10 teams meet up when No. 8 Arizona hosts No. 5 Florida on Saturday night.
Not only are both teams unbeaten SU, but they’ve each failed to cover just once this season; Arizona is 5-1 ATS and Florida is 4-1 ATS. The Gators just demolished in-state rival Florida State last Wednesday, their first road game of the year. They allow just 48.3 PPG (2nd-best in nation), by limiting five of their seven opponents to less than 50 points. Arizona won by double-digits at Clemson on Saturday, its toughest game to this point. But Florida has been tested more often this season (along with last week’s trip to Tallahassee, it has destroyed Wisconsin and Marquette at home and also led Georgetown at halftime of a canceled season-opener on an aircraft carrier). Plus, Arizona was just 7-10 ATS at home last season, and 5-8 ATS in non-conference games.
Arizona has effectively mixed old and new so far this year. Senior PF Solomon Hill (12.3 PPG, 5.4 RPG) and sophomore PG Nick Johnson (13.6 PPG, 55% FG) have led the way for the most part. Xavier transfer Mark Lyons (13.4 PPG, 39% 3-pt FG) has stepped in as an effective deep threat; the Wildcats are shooting 41% from three as a team. And PF Brandon Ashley (9.3 PPG on 59% FG, 6.4 RPG) has been one of the nation’s best freshmen. He and fellow freshman Kaleb Tarczewski (6.3 PPG, 6.7 RPG), a raw 7-footer, are a big reason why the Wildcats are +11.5 in rebounding margin so far.
Florida has been much more balanced between frontcourt and backcourt than in years past. Scoring PG Kenny Boynton (14.4 PPG) still leads the way, but C Patric Young (10.3 PPG on 55% FG, 7.9 RPG) and stretch PF Erik Murphy (11.9 PPG, 43% 3-pt FG) have stepped up this season. Like Arizona, the Gators have dominated on the boards, with a +10.7 rebounding margin. The return of PG Scottie Wilbekin (7.6 PPG, 4.4 APG) from an early-season suspension has also been a boost. Not only is he a more effective facilitator of this offense, but his presence allows Florida to rotate out streaky SG Mike Rosario (11.4 PPG).
- Carrie Stroup, Gambling911.com Senior Reporter
