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The No. 4 ranked Florida Gators takes an eight-game winning streak into tonight’s game against the visiting South Carolina Gamecocks. In SEC play, Florida is outscoring opponents by 26.5 points per game this season. Among major conference teams, no team comes within 11 points of that mark. However, Gators head coach Billy Donovan said that isn’t by design.
After a two-game loss conference start, South Carolina has turned around to win two of their last four. The Gamecocks are coming to the O’Dome after an impressive 75-54 win over the Arkansas Razorbacks, where junior forward Marshawn Powell scored 22 points and brought down 13 rebounds for Arkansas. Despite their winning streak, USC coach Frank Martin said that his squad will have to play near perfect to beat the Gators.
Elsewhere, the Texas A&M Aggies hit the road to Starkville to take on the Mississippi State Bulldogs. The Bulldogs have dropped four straight, and are currently posting a 2-4 conference record. After a promising start, the Aggies have also moved in the wrong direction as they lost their last four games. Both teams are part of a log jam in the middle of the SEC standings, and MSU coach Rick Ray said this is a crucial game to get his team back in the race.
Also in the gridlock with matching records, the Auburn Tigers travel to Athens as they face off against the Georgia Bulldogs. Auburn is looking to bounce back after a close loss to Ole Miss 63-61. The Dawgs, coming off a win against the Aggies, are opening a two-game road series, and Georgia head coach Mark Fox said they’ll have to get past a veteran Auburn team first.
Missouri hopes to secure a third consecutive win, as they take on the LSU Tigers in Baton Rouge tonight. Missouri has struggled after losing leading scorer, senior foward Laurence Bowers, who has missed the last five games due to an MCL sprain. Mizzou is 3-2 during his absence. However, according to reports, Bowers is set to return to the court tonight. With tipoff set for 8 p.m., Missouri head coach Frank Haith said he won’t play Bowers unless he is undoubtedly ready.
