The SEC finally begins conference play with a high profile matchup early on Saturday between the #6 Kentucky Wildcats (10-2, 8-4 ATS) and the Florida Gators (10-3, 5-7-1 ATS). Each team is coming off their final non-conference game. Kentucky won a home matchup against Illinois State 96-70, covering the 19.5-point spread as favorites. Florida won easily at home over Quinnipiac 97-72, covering as 20.5-point favorites. These teams met twice last season, with Kentucky winning both matchups. Tipoff is scheduled for 12:30 EST from the Stephen C. O'Connell Center in Gainesville, Florida and can be found on ESPN.
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The Kentucky Wildcats enter conference play on a four game winning streak, and are ranked 4th in the country. They would be in contention for the top spot in the polls if it were not for one bad loss against UNC Wilmington. Kentucky dropped that home game to UNCW as 18.5-point favorites, losing outright by seven. Kentucky has tried to right the ship since, defeating #9 Louisville, and going on the road to beat rival Louisville. In their last game, they were led by senior Antonio Reeves with 27 points in the win over Illinois State.
Reeves is the leading scorer for the Wildcats, the 6'6 senior guard is averaging 19.0 PPG to go with 4.3 RPG. He is also the top shooter on the team with 34 made threes on 45.9% shooting from deep. Reeves had 27 last game out, and 30 in the previous game against Louisville. Rob Dillingham is a 6'3 freshman guard with NBA potential, he adds 14.3 PPG and leads the t eam with 4.5 APG. Dillingham has scored 12 or more in his past four games. Tre Mitchell is a strong 6'9 senior forward adding 12.8 PPG and 7.1 RPG. Reed Sheppard is another impressive freshman, the 6'3 guard adds 12.5 PPG, 4.7 RPG and 4.5 APG on the perimeter. DJ Wagner is another freshman guard, the 6'4 wing is scoring 11.9 PPG and is the son of former NBA player Dajuan Wagner.
Kentucky is currently ranked 19th according to KenPom. They are much better on offense where they rank 8th in efficiency, while their defense ranks 48th in efficiency. Kentucky plays fast on offense utilizing their young guards, they rank 24th in the nation in pace of play.