Florida basketball will have a favorable chance to get quick back on track this week.
The Gators (14-6, 5-2 SEC) had their win streak ended in an unexpected loss to Auburn, yet UF will take on a struggling South Carolina team that is off to a 2-5 start in conference play at Colonial Life Arena on Wednesday, Jan. 28 (9 p.m., Sec Network).
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The Gamecocks (11-9) are 10-3 at home this season and most recently picked up their first home win of conference play against Oklahoma. Yet South Carolina failed to carry the momentum after falling to Texas A&M 92-69 on Jan. 24.
What happened last time Florida basketball went to Columbia?
The records were nearly identical when Florida traveled to face South Carolina last year.
The Gators had to pull off a second-half comeback against the Gamecocks and pulled out a 70-69 win that featured Will Richard, Walter Clayton Jr. and Alijah Martin combining for 52 points and six 3-pointers. But Florida had no problems against South Carolina a few weeks later in the O’Dome and defeated the Gamecocks 88-67.
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What to know about South Carolina basketball’s Meechie Johnson
South Carolina is led by Meechie Johnson, who leads the Gamecocks with 15.7 points and 4.2 assists. He also leads South Carolina with made 3-pointers, free throws and 26 steals, as well as turnovers at 2.2 per game.
Johnson has one of the more bizarre transfer portal stories. The Cleveland native played his first two years at Ohio State before transferring to South Carolina for two seasons from 2022-24. During his first stint at South Carolina, Johnson helped the Gamecocks team to a program record-tying 26 wins and an appearance in the NCAA tournament.
Johnson then returned to the portal and to Ohio State last season, but played in only 10 games. He gained an extra year of eligibility for a mental health medical hardship waiver and returned to South Carolina.
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In his last four games, Johnson has averaged 23 points.
Where is South Carolina basketball in the metrics?
The Gamecocks are listed at No. 91 in the NET rankings, the second-lowest in the SEC.
South Carolina is 1-6 against Quadrant 1 teams, with the lone win coming against LSU (No. 43).
Breaking down the quadrant system, home games against teams ranked from No. 1-30, neutral-site games against teams ranked No. 1-50, and away games against opponents ranked No. 1-75 are considered Q1 chances.
The Gamecocks are listed as No. 77 on KenPom, No. 79 on Bart Torvick and No. 90 in EvanMiya.
Florida vs South Carolina score prediction
Florida 80, South Carolina 69: The Gators’ front court will bounce back after the loss to Auburn, with Alex Condon particularly getting back on track with a double-double. Thomas Haugh, who scored 20 points in his last matchup against South Carolina, will also have another big game.
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Reach Florida Gators writer Andrew Abadie at AAbadie@usatodayco.com or on X (formerly Twitter) at @AndrewAbadie. You can also find him on Facebook at Andrew Abadie Sports Reporter or on Instagram @andrewabadie_sports.
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Florida basketball vs South Carolina prediction, players to watch, storylines
