The 21-8 (5-3) Gators travel to Manhattan, KS to take on the 17-3 (6-2) Wildcats this Saturday, Jan 28 at 6:00pm. The game will be broadcast on ESPN2. This is a major challenge for the Gators, going into the den of the 5th ranked team. Then, of course, there is the Keyontae Johnson factor. It's hard not to imagine KJ having a huge game against the Gators. Not only will he be motivated to show out against his former team, we don't really have the physical strength or skill to guard him. Who gets the assignment? Will it be a Richard/Reeves platoon? I'm not certain whether KJ is playing the three or the four for Kst, but expect him to have a big game. Our only hope might be that KJ's emotions get the best of him and that he somehow goes easy on us. Pick the score, the MVG, and the Sog, which will be Keyontae Johnson pts/rebounds. My pick: Gators 69 Wildcats 72 Mvg Castleton Sog 20/9
Obviously KSU is the favorite in this one, therefore: Gators 71, KSU 69. MVG: Will Richard SOG: 19/7.
UF manages to overcome KJ's double-double to eek out an impressive road win today. This kicks off a 3-1 stretch that gets Gator fans talking about proper seedings in the forthcoming NCAA tournament. UF: 79 KSU: 76 MVG: CC SOG: 18/10