In a Sweet Sixteen NCAA Tournament contest the 26-10 Florida Gulf Coast Eagles from the Atlantic Sun conference will face the 28-7 Florida Gators from the SEC conference in a college basketball game on Friday night. Tip off time from Cowboys Stadium in Arlington Texas is scheduled for 9:57PM Eastern Time with national television coverage provided by TBS.
The college basketball odds from this NCAA Tournament Sweet Sixteen game has the Florida Gators favored by -13 points with an over under line of 135 ½ points. The teams met during the 2008-9 season where the Gators blew out the Eagles 94-60.
Florida Gulf Coast opened up play in the NCAA Tournament with a 78-68 victory against the Georgetown Hoyas as a +14 point underdog. The followed up that second round win with another upset as they defeat the San Diego St Aztecs in the Round of 32 by the score of 81-71 as a +7 ½ point underdog for their seventh straight win. The game finished over 134 ½ points. It was a good second half by Florida Gulf Coast as they outscored the Aztecs 47-36 in victory. They enjoyed a 55.9% shooting game and 7 of 18 from three point land against a good defensive team. They held the Aztecs to 44.3%s shooting and forced 17 San Diego St turnovers. The Eagles had six less rebounds. Bernard Thompson led Florida Gulf Coast with 23 points and four rebounds making 9 of his 15 shots. The Eagles are an upper third team from college basketball in points per game and field goal shooting. They make 46.2% of their shots and average 73.5 points a game. Teams hit on just 40.7% from the field against Florida Gulf Coast this season.
The Gators entered the NCAA Tournament in the second round with a 79-47 victory against the Northwestern S Demons as a -19 ½ point betting favorite. Florida comes off the NCAA Tournament Round of 32 victory against the Minnesota Golden Gophers by the score of 78-64 as a -7 ½ point favorite. The game finished over 125 points. Florida stormed out to the 48-27 lead at the half. They shot 56.8% from the floor and converted on 10 of 20 from the three point line The Gators held Minnesota to just 40% from the field and 8 of 18 came from three. Mike Rosario led Florida with 25 points as he made 8 of his 12 shots. Florida is an outstanding defensive team ranking in the top five in college basketball in scoring and field goal defense. They allow 53.8 points a game as well as 37.8% shooting to opponents. On offense the Gators make shots hitting on 48.3% from the floor ranking tenth in the nation.