Florida Gators forward Thomas Haugh (10) and forward Alex Condon (21) celebrate the win over the Georgia Bulldogs at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center in January. — Florida basketball has not beaten Kentucky in two years. (Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images)

Florida Basketball vs. Kentucky: Gators Seek Crucial SEC Win

It’s been eight years since Florida basketball has beaten Kentucky in the O’Dome. In fact, the Wildcats are the only SEC team that Gators coach Todd Golden has not beaten in the swamp.

Will that change on Saturday?

With a massive season-sweep win over Georgia on Wednesday, No. 14 Florida (18-6, 9-2 SEC) looks to prove to No. 25 Kentucky (17-7, 8-3 SEC) why it deserves the sole position of first place in the SEC.

This game also may mean something bigger, as the Gators are welcoming back former Florida guard Denzel Aberdeen for the first time since he helped lead Florida to a national title last year. Now in a Kentucky jersey, Aberdeen is averaging 12.3 points and leads the Wildcats with 29 assists over the last nine games.

With momentum continuing to rise for the Gators in conference play, they’ll look to keep their rhythm against the Wildcats. Defense has been the story for the Gators, averaging a 27.3-point victory margin over its last four consecutive wins. Guard Xavian Lee led the team with 18 points and seven assists in Athens. On top of that, center Ruben Chinyelu recorded a massive 20 rebounds against Georgia, hence why UF is No. 1 in rebounding margin in the country. Boogie Fland added 15, while Florida’s leading scorer this season, Thomas Haugh, recorded only 11 against the Bulldogs.

On the other side of the court, Kentucky is coming off a strong win against Tennessee last Saturday. SEC Preseason Player of the Year Otega Oweh led the Wildcats with 21 points against the Vols.

This is Kentucky’s first trip to Gainesville in two years. That might favor Florida. The Gators are 10-1 at home this year, with their lone loss being their last Saturday home game against Auburn. Florida is chasing its fifth consecutive win and hopes to uphold its sole position in the SEC with only three weeks left in the regular season. Thus, Golden aims to take down the Wildcats at home and put the eight-year drought to rest.

Tipoff is set for 3 p.m. on ABC. WRUF 98.1-FM/AM-850 coverage will start at 2:30.

Category: Basketball, Feature Sports News, Gators Men's Basketball