No. 10 Florida Gators vs. Georgetown Hoyas
Friday, 11/9/12, 9:00 PM EST, TV: NBC Sports Network
Opening Point Spread: Florida -4
Current Betting Line: Florida -4.5
Opening Total: 125.5
Current Total: 125.5
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker
Florida has won 21 consecutive season openers as it begins its 2012-13 schedule against Georgetown aboard the USS Bataan in Jacksonville, FL. “To be on this ship, sharing a moment like this, means more than I can ever express,” stated Gators coach Billy Donovan. The Gators return three starters from last season, including leading scorer Kenny Boynton, who averaged 15.9 points per game. Both teams toured the 844-foot vessel on Thursday, which should provide an emotional setting on Friday night. Florida is 2-2 ATS versus Big East Conference opponents the last two years.
The Gators projected starting five came into the season with a combined 235 career starts, but Donovan had to suspend starting point guard Scottie Wilbekin indefinitely for an undisclosed reason. He will be missed, but it’s also important to note that he averaged just 2.6 points and 1.6 assists per game a season ago. Florida was the nation’s top three-point scoring team in 2011-12, converting on 9.6 shots behind the arc per game.
Georgetown enters the season after finishing in a three-way tie for fourth place in the Big East in 2011-12, as head coach John Thompson III looks forward to starting anew in a unique setting. “For these kids to get the opportunity to come here and meet the sailers and the Marines, is a learning experience,” stated Thompson on Thursday. Five freshmen are joining a team that returns starters Nate Lubick, Markel Starks and Otto Porter. Georgetown is 9-1 ATS in November the last two-plus years, with the OVER going 5-2 in that situation.
The Hoyas averaged 69.0 points per game and held opponents to 38.7 percent shooting last year. Georgetown was picked to finish fifth in the conference’s preseason coaches’ poll, as it will be tested by Friday night’s conditions, considering temperatures are expected to dip into the 50s and wind could be a factor.
Sports bettors will likely back the Hoyas due to their 15-5 ATS record in neutral site games, while the Gators are 2-5 ATS in November.
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