Florida Gators vs North Carolina Tar Heels Picks and Predictions December 17th 2024

North Carolina Aims for a Statement Win Against No. 7 Florida

No. 7 Florida is rolling into Tuesday’s Jumpman Invitational in Charlotte, N.C., with history on its side. The Gators (10-0) are enjoying one of the best starts in their 118-year history, making this a pivotal challenge for North Carolina (6-4) as they look to bolster their season resume.

Florida’s Dominance: A Historic Start

The Gators’ perfect start is rare air for the program. This is only the third time they’ve begun a season 10-0, and the first since their 2005-06 national championship-winning season. Florida’s success has been fueled by a dynamic core and unselfish team play.

Walter Clayton Jr., leading the Gators with 19.1 points per game, has been a scoring machine. On Saturday, he torched Arizona State with 25 points and five three-pointers, helping Florida cruise to an 83-66 win.

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Alijah Martin has been equally impressive, showcasing his versatility by averaging 15.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 2.0 steals per game. Combine that with Will Richard’s steady production, and Florida boasts one of the most dangerous trios in college basketball.

Florida coach Todd Golden praised the team’s unity after their latest win.

“We have really good players. They’ve bought into each other, they play hard for each other and there’s no selfishness on this team right now,” Golden said.

Beyond their offense, Florida’s defense has been quietly stellar. The Gators held Arizona State, one of the top perimeter shooting teams, to just 7-for-25 from beyond the arc.

North Carolina’s Search for a Signature Win

For North Carolina, this matchup is more than just another game—it’s an opportunity to prove themselves against a top-10 opponent. So far, the Tar Heels have fallen short against elite teams, with losses to Kansas, Auburn, and Alabama.

The good news? North Carolina appears to be finding its groove. Saturday’s 93-67 win over La Salle gave coach Hubert Davis reason to smile. The Tar Heels shared the ball seamlessly, racking up 22 assists, something Davis had been waiting to see.

“I felt like the ball just instinctively… it’s like a point-five (second) mentality. As soon as someone caught the ball, they either passed, drove, or shot it—there was no hesitation,” Davis said.

The game also allowed North Carolina to showcase its depth. Eleven players contributed, and Cade Tyson delivered a breakout performance with 23 points, well above his season average of 4.7. If Tyson can provide more consistent production, the Tar Heels will become even more formidable.

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RJ Davis: Leading the Tar Heels’ Charge

RJ Davis remains the heart of North Carolina’s attack, averaging 17.6 points and 4.3 assists per game. His leadership and scoring will be critical against Florida’s stout defense. Davis is one of four Tar Heels averaging double figures, a testament to North Carolina’s balanced scoring.

The Stakes Are High

Tuesday’s game is just the beginning of a crucial week for the Tar Heels. After facing Florida, they’ll travel to New York for a showdown against UCLA at Madison Square Garden on Saturday. Two wins against ranked opponents could transform their NCAA Tournament outlook.

For Florida, maintaining their perfect start will require continued defensive discipline and offensive execution. The Gators’ combination of star power and teamwork has been a winning formula, but North Carolina’s hunger for a statement victory makes this a matchup to watch.

Who will rise to the occasion? All eyes are on Charlotte.