The college basketball season kicks off Monday and one of the marquee games will be the Florida Gators, fresh from their deep run during March madness, taking on the freshman-reinforced Arizona Wildcats. The game will serve as the college debut for some big names from high school basketball last year, including Arizona’s Koa Peat, Brayden Burries, and LeBron’s second son, Bryce James.
While Arizona has youth on its side, filled with freshmen aiming to prove themselves at the next level, Florida will be coming in with experience, with Arkansas transfer Boogie Fland set to make his mark. Arizona has a lot of potential, especially with Peat and Burries, but Florida is coming in already a title contender. The question now is, which team would come out on top, and who will be starting on Monday’s game?
Florida Gators vs Arizona Wildcats Projected Starting Lineups
Florida Gators
- PG: Boogie Fland
- SG: Xaivian Lee
- SF: Thomas Haugh
- PF: Alex Condon
- C: Rueben Chinyelu
Arizona Wildcats
- PG: Jaden Bradley
- SG: Brayden Burries
- SF: Anthony Dell’Orso
- PF: Tobe Awaka
- C: Motiejus Krivas
Florida Gators vs Arizona Wildcats Injury Report
Florida Gators
- Boogie Fland: Did not attend practice (undisclosed)
Arizona Wildcats
- Emmanuel Stephen: Out (hip injury)
Florida Gators vs. Arizona Wildcats Prediction
Florida is definitely coming into the game as the -3.5 favorites, with a moneyline of -170 and a total of 159.5 (-110o / -110u). Meanwhile, Arizona, the +3.5 underdog, has a +145 moneyline with a total of 159.5 (-110o / -110u).
That being said, this will be a completely new Florida team, as the Gators previously lost their entire backcourt. However, that has already been remedied by transfers like Lee and Fland, though they are not exactly known for their defensive prowess, which means that the Gators’ frontline would have to work double time on the defensive end.
As for the Wildcats, they are still young, with Peat expected to come off the bench and Burries projected to start. As for Bryce James, he is treated as their third string, with the second LeBron James child being treated as a work in progress over at Tucson. Expect him to get very limited minutes, but it should be interesting how he plays college ball.
As for the prediction, this one should go to Florida, though expect the Wildcats to challenge them hard, with the game being a bit closer than what many would expect.
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