As if an SEC game between Alabama and defending national champion Florida needed any more heat, the two coaches found it.
The Tide and Gators are both ranked and looking to move up in the league standings, but a new addition to the Bama roster has Florida coach Todd Golden calling foul. Alabama’s Nate Oats isn’t backing down.
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There’s bulletin board material aplenty, so expect a war. My Alabama vs. Florida predictions and college basketball picks call for the Tide to cover as a road dog.
Alabama vs Florida prediction
Alabama vs Florida best bet: Alabama +8.5 (-110)
Seven-footer Charles Bediako played for the Alabama Crimson Tide from 2021 to 2023. He was in the same recruiting class as Chet Holmgren and Paolo Banchero. For the last three seasons, he’s played as a pro in the G League. Earlier this month, Nate Oats added him back to the Alabama roster, and he’s played in two games for the Tide.
Florida Gators coach Todd Golden said Oats “finagled” to add the 23-year-old Bediako to the team, accusing Alabama of finding a judge who was a team booster to approve the deal. Then the Florida coach promised, “We’re going to beat them anyway.”
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Florida is No. 2 in the country in both offensive and defensive rebounding rates, while Bama was looking to improve its positions: No. 126 on offensive rate, No. 298 on defense.
It’s not clear that Bediako’s presence has paid immediate dividends. Alabama has split the two games he played, both straight up and ATS. They posted their lowest offensive rebounding rate since Dec. 13 with the seven-footer in the lineup, although the team was without leading rebounder Amari Allen for that game. He’s expected back on Sunday.
The presence of both Allen and Bediako should help Alabama on the boards, and Oats is a master motivator who has all the bulletin board material he needs to have his team fired up.
Alabama vs Florida same-game parlay
This will be a fast-paced game. Alabama is No. 7 in the country in tempo, and Florida is in the 60s. Eight of the Tide’s last 10 games have had totals in the 170s. However, they’ve only gone Over in four of the last seven games with totals that high.
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This matches Florida’s highest total in its last 10, and the Gators have gone Under in three straight. The two teams have gone Over in their last nine head-to-head games, but not many players remain from those past games.
Alex Condon has struggled recently. He’s made just 10 of 32 shots over the last four games and just one of his last 15 threes. He’s averaging 13.3 points per game on the season, but that falls to 11.6 in SEC play and 7.0 over his last three. The Alabama defense is not the time for a slumping scorer to try to get well.
Alabama vs Florida SGP
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Alex Condon Under 12.5 points
Alabama vs Florida odds
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Spread: Alabama +7.5 (-110) | Florida -7.5 (-110)
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Moneyline: Alabama +270 | Florida -340
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Over/Under: Over 175.5 (-110) | Under 175.5 (-110)
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Alabama vs Florida betting trend to know
Florida has won 32 of its last 40 games dating back to last season. Find more college basketball betting trends for Alabama vs. Florida.
How to watch Alabama vs Florida
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Location |
Stephen C. O’Connell Center, Gainesville, FL |
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Date |
Sunday, February 1, 2026 |
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Tip-off |
1:00 p.m. ET |
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TV |
ABC |
Alabama vs Florida key injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here
