Colorado Buffaloes (25-10) vs. Florida Gators (24-11)
Colorado Buffaloes vs. Florida Gators 3/22/24 – In a much-anticipated NCAA Men’s Basketball matchup, the Colorado Buffaloes face off against the Florida Gators on Friday. The Buffaloes, boasting a 25-10 record, will clash with the Gators, who have compiled a 24-11 record in what promises to be a thrilling contest. Taking place at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse with a broadcast on TBS, this game is a key highlight for fans and bettors alike, especially those following top multi-handicapper picks.
The Colorado Buffaloes are averaging a frequency of balanced gameplay on both ends of the floor this season, the spectators enjoy. They own an average of 79.3 points on a shooting range 49.3% from the field. This clearly speaks of efficiency and effectiveness in their field. Their defense as well is unimaginable, as they grab about 37.6 rebounds per game and they give away a relatively low number of turnovers, i.e. around 12.7 per game, which tells a story of good discipline and ball control.
On the contrary, the Florida Gators squad also is full of strong prospects. On the other hand, with a points average of 85.1 points, they hold the lead in offensive output among the teams, thanks to their brave play that sees them make 65.2 field goals per game. This was attributed to the great rebounding of the team with a 42.7 average per game, which was indicative of their command of the board. Alongside their offence, their defensive qualities are the proof of that, evidenced by the average number of 6.7 steals and 5.3 blocks per game.
Colorado Buffaloes vs. Florida Gators 3/22/24 Game Info
| When: | Friday, March 22, 2024 at 4:30 PM ET |
| Where: | Gainbridge Fieldhouse |
| TV: | TBS |
| Stream: | Sofascore |
KJ Simpson (Guard) vs. Walter Clayton Jr. (Guard)
KJ Simpson has really been one of the key elements of the Bufallo’s victory this year as he plays an important role for the team. In the 34 games he has played, he accumulated an average of 19.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 4.9 assists, proving that he is a very complete player. His shooting insight, as shown by a field goal hitting rate of 47.9% and a massive 45.3% from outside the arc, with the added advantage of a 87.1% free-throw percentage, is what makes him dangerous for opponents on the court.
Walter Clayton Jr. excellently holds his own for the Gators with commendable stats of his own, averaging 17.1 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.6 assists over 35 games. His defence, which provides the team with 1.1 steals and 0.6 blocks per game, augments the value for his teammates. Despite the fact that his shooting percentages are somehow not as high as Simpson’s, his performance under pressure and the contribution he makes in the times of the most significance can’t be ignored.
The conflict between Simpson and Jr is the core of this match. Both players have the biggest impact in terms of the scoring for their teams by also setting the pace for their teams’ play. Their head-to-head competition could, perhaps, determine how the game will turn out, given that Simpson may provide efficiency to the game and Clayton Jr may be able to provide all-round contribution.
NCAAB Odds/Point Spread: Florida Gators -1.5, Total Odds: 160.5
The betting odds slightly favor the Florida Gators, with a -1.5 point spread and a total points line set at 160.5. This narrow spread reflects the expected competitive nature of the game, indicating that bettors anticipate a closely fought contest.
Colorado Buffaloes Betting Trends
The Buffaloes are a bit crippled, going 2-3 in their last 5 games while being on par with the spread record. Their home/road performance ATS, as represented by 6-8 through ATS, shows some unsteadiness in their play at away venues. OVER is going to prevail in 2 of their last 5 games and OVER is OVER in 13 of the last 20 games at home that they played, showing that in familiar places they prefer to go for higher scoring games.
Florida Gators Betting Trends
Similarly, the Gators are described as 4-1 at the last 5 games while they are not as consistent towards the spread and they have 3-2 records for it. In away games, they reacted very well – the record was 8-5. All of these games have finished OVER with the total, and it’s not surprising from their scoring approach, which has occurred in 14 out of the last 21 home games also going OVER.
Colorado Buffaloes vs. Florida Gators 3/22/24 Betting Picks
The slight advantage the Florida Gators get according to the odds comes from their offensive grip and them being able to dictate the pace of the game, most likely, especially in high-scoring games. On the other hand, Colorado Buffaloes’ quick scoring and focused playing of KJ Simpson during this season shows that we should not underestimate anything about them.
For punters who want a starter, take the Florida Gators for a win, but expect a very close matchup which could well see the Buffaloes winning to cover the +1.5 spread. As both teams have been showing in their games of ripping high scores, making the OVER (160.5) can be a prudent choice, similar to the free expert March Madness analysis.
Free Pick and Prediction: Florida Gators 82, Colorado Buffaloes 81.