Florida vs. Arkansas Prediction, Game Preview

Florida vs. Arkansas prediction and game preview. The Gators look to bounce back from their first loss in over a month with a victory over the NCAA Tournament-hopeful Razorbacks on Wednesday night.

Florida vs. Arkansas Game Preview

When: Wednesday, March 1 – 7 p.m. ET
Where: O’Connell Center, Gainesville, Fla.
TV Broadcast: ESPN2

Florida’s nine-game winning streak is over after it suffered a 76-66 loss at Kentucky on Saturday, falling one game back of the Wildcats for the top spot in the SEC. The biggest issue was the lack of an inside presence, and that’s where John Egbunu is going to be missed. The Gators were outrebounded 48-30 and went 10 of 30 from 3-point range while shooting only six free throws.

Playing mostly on the perimeter came back to bite them. KeVaughn Allen scored 24 points and hit five 3-pointers, but Kasey Hill went just 2 of 10 from the floor and Canyon Barry was just 1 of 5. Florida shot 36.6 percent overall, and it will need to be much better against an Arkansas team that has held three of its last five opponents to less than 40 percent from the field.

The Razorbacks have won five in a row to improve to 22-7 and 11-5 in SEC play, boosting their resume as they seek their second NCAA Tournament berth in three seasons. Most projections have them sitting as a No. 10 seed, but a victory over Florida could bump them up from that spot. Arkansas is coming off Saturday’s 79-68 win at Auburn as Jaylen Barford scored 20 points and Dusty Hannahs added 18. Barford is averaging 18.5 points over his last four games.

Arkansas has lost the last six meetings with Florida, though, including an 81-72 home defeat Dec. 29.

Florida Wins If …

… Allen gets some help. He essentially carried the Gators in Lexington and helped them hold a lead in the second half before they fell apart. Allen scored 21 points in the first meeting with the Razorbacks and was the focal point of the offense, but he had plenty of support. Devin Robinson stepped up to finish with 17 points while Hill and Kavarrius Hayes added 10 apiece. Florida prides itself on its depth, and it’ll need to shine through Wednesday.

Arkansas Wins If …

… its bench provides a spark. Daryl Macon started most of the Razorbacks’ first 23 games, including the first matchup with Florida when he scored 22 points while hitting 7 of 10 from the field. He’s come off the bench exclusively over the last six games, though, and is averaging 17 points while shooting 59.5 percent from the field, including 12 of 25 from 3-point range. Trey Thompson has been getting more minutes in a reserve role, too, and grabbed a season-high 11 boards against Auburn. Arkansas will need both to help keep up with the Gators’ bench production.

Matchup To Watch

Guards vs. Guards

This one likely will be decided by how well each team’s backcourt plays. The Hill/Allen/Barry trio will need to knock down shots as Arkansas counters with Bardford/Hannahs/Macon.

Florida vs. Arkansas Betting Odds

Spread: No line as of post
Over/Under: No line as of post