Grambling State vs Florida Game Information

Grambling State vs Florida Preview

Grambling State (1-1 SU, 0-0 on Road) heads to Gainesville, Florida to face Florida (2-0, 1-0 at Home) in a SWAC-SEC non-conference matchup. Last year, the Tigers went 21-15 overall and 14-3 in conference play and made it to the NCAA Tournament where they beat Montana State in a No. 16 play-in game (88-81 OT) before being eliminated by Big Dance runners-up Purdue in Round 1 of the Midwest Region (78-50). The Gators (24-13, 11-7 in SEC) also made the tournament where they were eliminated by South Region No. 10 seed Colorado, 102-100 in a shootout. Grambling State clobbered Southern-New Orleans in its season lidlifter (92-43) and then lost a close one at Ole Miss (66-64). Florida has beaten two Sunshine State teams in USF (98-83) and Jacksonville (81-60).

Grambling State in a Big Conference Mismatch

Grambling State (1-1-0 ATS, 0-1 O/U) ranks No. 219 in the Pomeroy College Basketball Ratings and the Tigers finished first in the SWAC the last two seasons. Returning for Grambling State are its leading scorer, Kintavious Dozier (13 ppg) and rebounder Antwan Burnett (10 ppg, 5.9 rpg) as well as Mikale Stevenson. GSU brought in talent from other schools in Sam Onu (FGCU), Louis Hutchinson (Charleston Southern), Emareyon McDonald (Northwestern State), Ernest Ross (NC State), James Graham (Buffalo), and PJ Edwards (Bowling Green), so expect the Tigers to have another good year. One key for this team is to increase its points per possession numbers from last year, but having the two best players back is something solid to build around.

Grambling State Betting Trends

• Grambling State is 5-1 ATS in its last 6
• The Under is 4-2 in the Tigers last 6 games
• GSU is 7-3 SU in its last 10 overall
• The Tigers are 12-8 in their last 20 on the Road (+3.25 Units)
• Grambling State went 18-15-0 ATS last season

Florida Looking to Justify its Top 25 Ranking

Florida (1-1-0 ATS, 1-1-0 O/U) is ranked No. 23 KenPom’s respected rankings and No. 21 in the nation, so we can expect another quality season from the Gators. One area of needed improvement is the defensive points per possession (#216) while Florida will look to stay strong on the offensive glass like it was last season (#8). Walter Clayton (17.6 ppg, 2.3 rpg) returns as does 6-11 Alex Condon (7.7 ppg, 6.4 rpg), Will Richard (11.4 ppg, 3.9 rpg) and Thomas Haugh.The Gators welcome transfer Alijah Martin (13.1 ppg, 5.9 rpg with FAU) and young EuroBasket stud Urban Klavzar (16.1 ppg at Real Madrid). Head Coach Todd Golden is under a school inquiry (Title IX complaint) but a spokesman says that he will be there for Florida on Monday.

Florida Betting Trends

• Florida is 1-0 SU/ATS lifetime vs Grambling State (96-57 in 2023, FLA -26.5)
• The Gators are 1-3 ATS in their last 4 Home games
• The Over is 8-2-0 in the Gators last 10 games
• Florida was 16-19-1 ATS last season
• The Over is 4-1 in the Gators last 5 at Home

Grambling State vs Florida Prediction and Pick

This Grambling State vs Florida prediction weighs heavily on the Tigers having its top two players back, being familiar with the Gators after playing them last year, and adding so many new transfers who should help fill in the gaps. If Grambling State could play a close game (66-64) with No. 24 Mississippi—another SEC side—and lead the Rebels by 8 at halftime (33-25), then hanging with and also scaring Florida here is a distinct possibility. In that last game, the Tigers shot an impressive 46.7% from the field, 47.4% from behind the arc and outrebounded Ole Miss (39-33). Stevenson had 16 points in that game and with the high point spread here (23.5), taking the Underdog and a game Grambling State team is our free NCAA Basketball pick. And if you are feeling really strong, maybe take a shot on the upstart Tigers on the Moneyline at +2400 (FanDuel)?

Kevin Pick: Grambling State +23.5