The Florida Gators , still smarting after their 80-61 drubbing at Arkansas on Saturday, find the road doesn’t get any better as they travel to Knoxville, Tenn., to play No. 8 Tennessee. The Gators trail the Volunteers by a single game in the SEC East standings. Oddsmakers at Sportsbook.com have installed the Vols as 9 ½ point home favorites with a 159 total. The money line price on a Vols SU win is -550 while the Gators are getting +425 juice.
Florida faces a daunting task in stopping the Vols who lead the SEC in scoring, assists and steals. Tennessee employs a pressing style that has become the signature of a Bruce Pearl coached team.
For Florida to have much of a chance against the Vols they must play better defense. The Razorbacks shot 54.2 percent from the floor and led by 30 points in the second half. The Gators shot 16 percent from 3-point range, missing its first 13 three point attempts.
Defending Tennessee will be just as challenging as defending Arkansas. The Vols don't posses the same size as the Hogs but are quicker and more dangerous from the perimeter. Forwards Tyler Smith and J.P. Prince have made an impact. Both are 6-foot-7 wing players who have excellent shooting range and the ability to take the ball to the basket.
“They (Tennessee) are a very good team, said Gators head coach Billy Donnovan. “They were ranked in the top 10 all year long; they’ve played a terrific schedule. Bruce (Pearl) has done a great job with his guys.”
The Vols return to Knoxville, where they have the fourth-longest home win streak in division-one. They've won 27 in a row at Thompson-Boling Arena, including 11 this season.With a win over Florida, Tennessee can match the second-longest home win streak in school history
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