Well, well, well. After handing Tennessee an embarrassing beatdown on National TV, the Gatorboyz will travel to Arkansas to take on Used Car Cal this Saturday. The Gators played much better versus Tennessee than they did @Rupp, but I think our rout of UT was a combination of UTs inability to hit the broadside of a tobacco barn and our relentless defense and offense. Even if Tennessee shot better, I still think we win that one by 10+ points. Greasy Cal and his Hogs are struggling a bit. They are 11-4 with losses to unranked Baylor, #13 Illinois, #1 Tennessee and #23 Ole Miss, with a near loss to a 4-11 dumpster fire Miami. Their best win was against #24 Michigan. I ain't saying Arkansas is bad team, but they ain't that good either. However, this is a road game in the SEC, so we better be ready and focused to get the win. Arky is 0-2 to start conference play, so they'll be itching for a win, itching because of fleas, or both. Gators need to bring their A game all 40m to avoid an upset in this potential trap game. GoGators!
If CTG hits a hundred and thinks, "Oh yeh, maybe we should take it easy" I want an assistant to scream "It's Calipari, RUTS!"
Hopefully we have moved on from Tuesday. Arkansas has some talent, and Bud Walton can be a tough place to play. Need to bring our A game get a big road win.
No easy road games in the SEC. Even USCe and LSU can beat you if you have an off night. But we have Seniors in the backcourt that have seen it all. That helps a lot.
Looking at their stats, none of the Boss Hog starters have very big rebound averages. If we go in and dominate the glass with plenty of offensive put backs, we should win this one easy. Nothing is more frustrating for a home crowd to see their team get out hustled and not defend the basket. If we start throwing up threes and can't get the ball inside, it's any ones game.
A ton of snow just dropped here in NWA, hoping the roads get cleared for the 30 minute drive to Bud Walton tomorrow.
The Hogs are "reeling" at the moment. Sometimes it's not just about matchup but "when" you play. UF needs a road win big time IMO to get over the "SEC road hump" all the pundits are talking about. Arky / Cal need a win big time to save face. I expect a tough physical matchup, UF needs to shoot a decent % and keep pounding the glass. I'm leaning toward a Gator win, but under double digits.
Cal is already losing the fanbase here in Arkansas. This is being called a must win. Y’all are a bad matchup for them. Their guards don’t defend well and their bigs are soft.
They had high hopes for Cal's first season but shouldn't have expected a world-beater. They'll likely make the NCAAT and should be happy with that. They won't be. They'll try and ugly it up tomorrow but I like these Gators in a rock fight.
Aren’t you glad he left? Pope seems like a much better fit than Cal. This year may be Cal’s swan song.
Cal's offense always relied on having a future 1st-round draft pick at point guard, plus a dominant big man. When he had that, his teams were hard to beat. But you could say that about ANY style of offense for ANY team. From what I've seen of Pope's team, he can blend the talent on hand into a sophisticated offensive scheme and win with it. Much, much better at the Xs and Os.
Couldn’t be more happy he’s gone and that Pope is his replacement. Time will tell if Pope can win big but he’s been more than a breath of fresh air so far. He’s like the anti-Cal.
============================= Arkansas is 10-1 at home but 0-2 in the SEC. Arkansas' first home loss was to #23 Ole Miss, 66-73 and also lost on the road to #1 Tennessee, 52-76. The Razorbacks will be desparate for their first SEC win. Arkansas has not been scoring much in their losses so I could see Calipari trying to make it a physical game where making free throws is a must. ============================= Hopefully, the team has been working on their free-throws. Not hitting some of them costed Florida a potential SEC victory (i.e, against Kentucky, Martin, Clayton & Condon had missed at least 4 FT's in that game). Kentucky 106-100 Florida (Jan 4, 2025) Box Score - ESPN =============================== Florida is looking for their first SEC road win of the year. The Gators are averaging 87.3 ppg. If Florida can score 70 plus while also holding the Razorbacks' offense in check defensively, than I believe that is a victory for the Gators.
Florida’s +12.9 rebounding margin ranks second nationally (Illinois, +13.3). The Gators have been +15 or better six times, +20 or better four times. UF outrebounded Tennessee, 56-37, on Tuesday. And our +22.3 scoring margin this season also ranks as the second highest in the nation (Houston, +22.4). Thirteen of the Gators’ 14 wins this season have come by 13 points or more.
I bet. It sucks cause so far there's nothing to hate about Pope. I need more raw anger in my rivalries
