FLORIDA STATE SEMINOLES (8-3) at FLORIDA GATORS (9-2)

It will be a classic battle of offense versus defense when high-scoring No. 11 Florida hosts defensive-minded Florida State on Thursday night.

2011-12-22

Tip-off: Thursday, 7:00 p.m. EDT

Line: Florida -8.5, Total: 137

It will be a classic battle of offense versus defense when high-scoring No. 11 Florida hosts defensive-minded Florida State on Thursday night.

The Gators are currently leading the nation in offensive efficiency and are third in points per game (86.1). That’s due to the fact that they’re making more threes (11.2 per game) than anyone in the nation. Meanwhile, the Seminoles are again an elite defensive team, third in the nation in defensive efficiency (they were first last year) and have allowed more than 70 points in a game just once so far this season. But while FSU has a size advantage and will surely try to control tempo, the Gators guards should be able to take over this game. FSU is extremely turnover-prone (18.7 per game) and doesn’t guard the three-point line well enough (UConn made 44% 3-pt FG in an overtime with over the Seminoles, and Michigan State hit 42% of its threes in a win over FSU) to contain the Gators. FLORIDA is the pick.

The Gators will likely be without sixth man Mike Rosario (9.4 PPG, 42% 3-pt FG), who is struggling with a back injury, but UF has more than enough perimeter firepower without him in Kenny Boynton (18.7 PPG, 46% 3-pt FG), Erving Walker (14.5 PPG, 5.0 APG) and Bradley Beal (15.0 PPG, 6.3 RPG). The interior will again be a question mark against an FSU team that has good size. C Patric Young (11.0 PPG, 7.5 RPG) will have to hold his own against the likes of 6-foot-10 Bernard James (10.5 PPG, 9.2 RPG, 2.6 BPG) and 6-foot-11 Xavier Gibson (8.0 PPG, 5.5 RPG).

The Seminoles will need their perimeter players to perform on both ends of the court to hang close. Michael Snaer (13.2 PPG) is trying to carry the offense this year, but is shooting only 39.5% from the field. SF Okaro White (8.3 PPG, 5.2 RPG) and guards Deividas Dulkys (7.5 PPG) and Luke Loucks (6.5 PPG) have been equally inconsistent on the offensive end, as the ‘Noles shoot just 31.8% from three as a team. They’re 1-3 SU and ATS away from Tallahassee this year.

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