Florida Hosts Missouri in a Must-Watch SEC Matchup

It’s game night in Gainesville as No. 5 Florida takes on Missouri in an SEC showdown. Florida is rolling with a dominant season so far, while Missouri is hungry for their first road win of the year.

Florida Gators: Owning the Boards and the Court

The Gators (15-1, 2-1 SEC) are looking unstoppable, especially at home. They’ve won all eight games in Gainesville, including a jaw-dropping 30-point beatdown of then-No. 1 Tennessee last week. Add a 71-63 win over Arkansas on Saturday, and Florida is showing they can win in all kinds of ways.

Players to Watch:

• Walter Clayton Jr.: He’s the team’s leading scorer, averaging 17.2 points per game, and he’s been clutch all season.
• Alex Condon: This guy is everywhere. He’s not only pulling down 8.1 rebounds per game, but he’s also averaging 11 points and swatting away 1.6 shots a game. With three double-doubles in his last five games, Condon is the engine powering Florida’s dominance on the boards.

Coach Todd Golden likes what he sees: “We can win in different ways, and that’s what makes this team so good.”

Missouri Tigers: Looking to Prove Themselves

Missouri (13-3, 2-1 SEC) is on a two-game winning streak and just took down Vanderbilt 75-66 at home. They’re perfect in Columbia this season (13-0), but the road has been a different story. Facing Florida in Gainesville is about as tough as it gets, but the Tigers are ready for the challenge.

Players to Watch:

• Mark Mitchell: Missouri’s top scorer (13.5 PPG) is a versatile threat and a finalist for the Julius Erving Award.
• Josh Gray: He’s been an absolute beast on the boards, leading the team in rebounds over the last two games.

Coach Dennis Gates knows what’s at stake: “Going on the road gives us a chance to go against one of the top teams in the country. I just want our guys to play free and trust their instincts.”

What to Expect

This game is all about the rebounding battle. Florida leads the nation with 46.1 rebounds per game, while Missouri is starting to find their groove on the glass. If Missouri can match Florida’s physicality and limit second-chance points, they might have a shot to pull off the upset.

But let’s be real—Florida’s offense, home-court dominance, and balanced roster make them a tough team to beat. Expect a physical, fast-paced game with plenty of action on both ends of the floor.

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Final Thoughts

Florida is the favorite here, no doubt. But if Missouri can play with confidence and disrupt Florida’s rhythm, this could get interesting. One thing’s for sure: it’s going to be a hard-fought battle in Gainesville.