Florida Riding High Ahead of LSU Matchup

The No. 2 Florida Gators (23-3, 10-3 SEC) head to Baton Rouge on Saturday, looking to extend their five-game winning streak against a rejuvenated LSU team (14-12, 3-10 SEC).

Since a 64-44 loss to then-No. 8 Tennessee on Feb. 1, Florida has dominated its competition, with each of its five wins coming by at least nine points. The Gators’ most impressive victory came on Feb. 10, when they took down No. 1 Auburn 81-70 on the road.

“We didn’t lose any confidence after that game [vs. Tennessee],” Florida coach Todd Golden said. “It allowed us to recalibrate, focus on defending, rebounding, and taking care of the ball—things that equate to winning.”

Florida’s Three-Point Surge Fuels Winning Streak

One key factor in the Gators’ success has been their improved three-point shooting. Florida has made at least 10 threes in every game during its winning streak, shooting an impressive 42.0 percent (63-for-150) from deep. This is a significant jump from their season average of 35.2 percent.

“We’ve shot the ball really well over the past couple of weeks,” Golden said. “And when we do that, we can go on big runs and create separation.”

Despite dealing with injuries to key players, Florida continues to win with its depth and balanced scoring. Against Oklahoma on Tuesday, the Gators had five players in double figures, even with top rebounder Alex Condon (7.8 RPG, 10.6 PPG) and reserve forward Sam Alexis (4.9 PPG, 3.6 RPG) out with ankle injuries.

LSU Finding Its Footing After Tough Conference Start

While LSU struggled early in SEC play, the Tigers have won two straight conference games after a seven-game losing streak. They secured their largest SEC win of the season with an 81-67 victory over South Carolina on Tuesday.

“The credit goes to our players,” LSU coach Matt McMahon said. “They’ve come to practice every day and competed in every game.”

LSU shocked Oklahoma on Feb. 17, rallying from a five-point deficit in the final 20 seconds to win 82-79. That momentum carried over into the South Carolina game, where the Tigers hit 13 three-pointers—their most against an SEC opponent this season.

Key Players to Watch

Florida Gators

Walter Clayton Jr. – The team’s leading scorer (16.2 PPG, 4.3 RPG)
Tyrese Samuel – Versatile forward averaging 14.5 PPG and 7.2 RPG
Will Richard – Dangerous shooter at 11.9 PPG, 41.2% from three

LSU Tigers

Cam Carter – Leads LSU in scoring (16.8 PPG, 4.1 RPG) and is their go-to scorer late in games
Jalen Reed – Emerging as a key rebounder (7.5 RPG)
Mike Williams III – Hit clutch shots in LSU’s last two victories, brings defensive energy

Can LSU Keep It Close?

The Tigers have played well in their last two games, but Florida presents a much tougher challenge. LSU’s three-point shooting (24 threes in the last two games) has been a bright spot, but Florida’s defense ranks among the best in the SEC.

LSU has struggled with consistency, often playing one good half instead of a full 40-minute game. Guard Mike Williams III acknowledged this issue, saying:

“When we put 40 minutes together, I don’t think anybody can beat us. The last two games we’ve done that, and we’ve been rewarded.”

Final Prediction & Outlook

Florida enters as the clear favorite, but LSU has confidence after back-to-back wins. If the Tigers get hot from three, they could make this a competitive game.

However, Florida’s depth, defense, and momentum should carry the Gators to their sixth straight win.

Lsu Tigers vs Florida Gators Picks and Predictions February 22nd 2025