The Florida Gators, ranked No. 1 in the AP preseason poll, begin their college basketball season against the No. 14 Miami Hurricanes on Tuesday. The matchup, a cross-state battle, will take place at Madison Square Garden, the same venue where Florida's previous season concluded in the NCAA Tournament.
Florida enters the game as 4.5-point favorites on a neutral court, with the over/under set at 160.5 points. Oddsmakers also list the Gators with the second-shortest odds (+600) to win the national title, trailing only the Duke Blue Devils.
Key Players and Expectations
Florida returns key members from their title team, including seniors Alex Condon and Thomas Haugh. Haugh, in particular, saw a significant increase in his scoring output last season, averaging 17.1 points per game compared to 9.8 the previous year. The article suggests Haugh could become even more dominant at the college level this season, noting his ability to pressure defenses in transition and his improved 3-point shooting.
Betting Outlook
For the season opener, the New York Post's betting preview highlights a player prop bet on Thomas Haugh scoring 17 or more points. The author expects Haugh to show increased efficiency as a scorer and sees the game as an opportunity for him to prove his status as a top player.
Florida demonstrated dominance last season, finishing the regular season with a 16-2 record in the SEC and being the only conference team with a winning record against AP-ranked opponents. Despite falling short of repeating as national champions, their performance established them as a top contender heading into the new season.