Florida vs. Kentucky: Game Preview, Prediction

By Tim Letcher
Kim Klement, USA TODAY SPORTS
Kim Klement, USA TODAY SPORTS

The Kentucky Wildcats look to finish the regular season undefeated as they host the Florida Gators on Saturday at Rupp Arena.

Kentucky is 30-0 this season and 17-0 in the SEC. The Wildcats will look to match Florida’s SEC season from last year, when the Gators went 18-0 in conference play.

But Kentucky has bigger goals than finishing unbeaten in regular season and conference play. This group is within 10 games of making history as they try to become the first team to ever finish at 40-0.

Aaron Harrison leads Kentucky in scoring, averaging 11.3 points per game. Freshman guard Devin Booker averages 11 points per contest, while Karl-Anthony Towns averages 9.6 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game for the ‘Cats.

Florida is fighting for its postseason lives right now. The Gators are 15-15 on the season and probably need to win at least three times over the next week just to have a shot at the NIT. Considering Florida has lost six of its last nine games, that doesn’t appear likely.

Michael Frazier leads the Gators in scoring, averaging 13.2 points per game. However, Frazier has been limited by injuries late this season. He will make the trip to Kentucky, but if he plays remains to be seen.

Dorian Finney-Smith, who was suspended late in the season but has since been reinstated, averages 13.1 points per outing.

The good news for Florida fans is that Kentucky head coach John Calipari genuinely likes Florida head coach Billy Donovan. What that means is, on a day when as many as 10 Wildcats could be playing their final game at Rupp Arena, Calipari won’t run the score up on Donovan. But Kentucky should still win handily.

Final score prediction: Kentucky 70, Florida 52

Tim Letcher is a Featured Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @TimLetcher , on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

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