Can No. 5 Florida basketball maintain unbeaten start in SEC opener? Prediction vs. Kentucky

Posted by Admin January 2, 2025 Basketball

Florida basketball proved it could handle the pressure of Rupp Arena last season when it upset Kentucky 94-91 in overtime in Lexington.

The No. 5 Florida Gators (13-0) will face another hostile test when they open SEC play Saturday at No. 11 Kentucky (11 a.m., ESPN).

Florida’s overtime win last season was only the fourth in its last 17 trips to Rupp Arena, dating back to 2007.

“We have five guys in our rotation that were a part of that game that helped us win it,” Florida basketball coach Todd Golden said. “So, they should have some good confidence going to that game as well.”

Kentucky (11-2) is coming off an 88-54 win over Brown. The Wildcats, under first-year coach Mark Pope, upset No. 4 Duke at the Champions Classic in November. UK boasts the No. 2 offense in the SEC, averaging 89.0 points per game.

“They are hard to guard, and they do some good things offensively, and they play through their bigs on the perimeter,” Golden said, “They’re more, you know, four and five out. So again, just if we can execute and know our personnel, we’ll give ourselves a good chance.”

Here are three storylines to watch for Florida basketball in its matchup with the Wildcats:

Can Florida basketball senior guard Will Richard continue his high level of play?

The 6-foot-4 Richard is averaging 16.0 points and 4.0 steals over his last three games. Richard worked on his body during the offseason after opting to return to Florida for his senior year, and the improved athleticism is showing off on the court. Richard has been more aggressive jumping the passing lanes and ranks eighth in the SEC in steals at 2.2 per game.

“This last year, I feel like I’m going out there and just having fun every game and just enjoying the present,” Richard said. “Trying to go out there and be the best I can for my teammates and just win games.”

Who will win the battle of the boards, Florida basketball or Kentucky?

Florida ranks second in the SEC in offensive rebounds at 15.3 per game, while Kentucky is one of the top defensive rebounding teams in the conference at 30.7 per game.

Kentucky boasts size across the frontline with 6-foot-11 forward Andrew Carr, a transfer from Wake Forest, and 7-foot center Amari Williams, a transfer from Drexel. Williams is averaging 8.5 rebounds per game, while Carr is averaging 6.2.

Florida starting forward Alex Condon is averaging 7.5 rebounds per game, UF starting center Rueben Chinyelu (6.7 rpg) is coming off a game in which he grabbed six rebounds in 17 minutes against Stetson.

Can Florida basketball take care of the ball vs Kentucky?

Florida turned the ball over 17 times in its last game against a power conference opponent when it beat North Carolina 90-84 at the Jumpman Invitational in Charlotte, N.C.

The Wildcats are forcing just 9.38 turnovers per game. though point guard LaMont Butler (1.5 steals per game) is a tough defender at the front of UK’s defense. The crowd at Rupp also could impact communication when UF tries to set up halfcourt offense or out of bounds plays.

“We’ve got to get back to taking better care of the ball,” Golden said. “I think that’s something these last couple of weeks, we’ve been OK, but against Arizona State, North Carolina, those teams we did not take of it well enough and going on the road against a really good defensive team in Kentucky, it’s going to be a huge key to the game. That’s a way they can hurt us in their gym, is if we have loose, live-ball turnovers that allow them to get out in transition.”

Florida basketball vs Kentucky: Prediction

Kentucky 74, Florida 71: It’s never easy winning at Rupp Arena. Florida’s unbeaten run to start the 2024-25 season will come to an end in its SEC opener in a game decided in the closing minutes. UF will generate enough second-chance points to stay close, but turnovers will doom the Gators late in the contest.

Kevin Brockway is The Gainesville Sun’s Florida beat writer. Contact him at kbrockway@gannett.com. Follow him on X @KevinBrockwayG1