What to know: #6 Florida Gators vs. Florida State Seminoles
Game Information
When: Monday, December 4, 2017 at 9 p.m. (ET)
Where: Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center, Gainesville, Fla.
Records: Florida (5-1); FSU (6-0)
Coaches: Mike White- 53-25 (3rd season at Florida), 154-65 (7th season overall); Leonard Hamilton- 288-196 (16th season at FSU), 488-406 (30th season overall)
TV: ESPN2
Streaming: WatchESPN
Radio: Gator IMG Sports Network
Projected Starters
Florida
F Keith Stone (6-8, 245) Avg./Game: 5.8/2.3r
G Jalen Hudson (6-6, 192) Avg./Game: 21.7/4.8r
G Egor Koulechov (6-5, 205) Avg./Game: 17.7/7.0r
G KeVaughn Allen (6-2, 193) Avg./Game: 13.5/3.7r
G Chris Chiozza (6-0, 175) Avg./Game: 13.2/6.8a
FSU
F Phil Cofer (6-8, 218) Avg./Game: 14.2/4.7r
C Ike Obiagu (7-0, 240) Avg./Game: 21.7/4.8r
G CJ Walker (6-1, 195) Avg./Game: 17.7/7.0a
G Brian Angola (6-6, 195) Avg./Game: 13.5/3.7a
G Terrance Mann (6-6, 215) Avg./Game: 13.2/6.8r
Preview
Coming off a tough loss in the final minutes to top-ranked Duke, the No. 6 Florida Gators must refocus for a home game against rival Florida State.
Florida had more than a week between games after a draining experience in the PK80 tournament. The Gators were 2-1, with a dominating win over Stanford, a double-overtime victory against Gonzaga and the 87-84 loss to Duke.
SEC Player of the Week Jalen Hudson had his first career double-double against the Blue Devils with 24 points and 10 rebounds, while KeVaughn Allen (17), Egor Koulechov (15) and Chris Chiozza (13) were all behind him in double figures.
That was not enough to make up for a 34.3 shooting percentage and a 14.3 three-point percentage in the second half as Duke diminished a 17-point Florida lead.
FSU comes in undefeated, but its only win of note to this point is a road victory over Rutgers.
Five different players average double figures for the Seminoles, as Terrance Mann (15.3) and Phil Cofer (14.2) lead the way. Mann put up a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds against the Gators a year ago.
The Seminoles allow just 68.8 points per game and force an average of 18 turnovers, but also turn it over 13.5 times per game.
The Gators hold a huge 43-25 advantage in the series, but are currently on a three-game skid to the Seminoles. Florida fell 83-78 in Tallahassee last season following a tough loss to Duke the game before.
Florida will hope history does not repeat itself as Mike White seeks his first win over FSU and looks to improve his 2-5 record against ACC opponents on Monday night.