What to know: Florida Gators basketball vs. Belmont Bruins
Game Information
When: Monday, November 21, 2016, at 7 p.m. (ET)
Where: Amalie Arena, Tampa, Fla.
Records: Florida (3-0); Belmont (1-1)
Coaches: Mike White- 24-15 (2nd season at Florida), 125-55 (6th season overall); Rick Byrd- 641-324 (31st season at Belmont), 733-379 (36th season overall)
TV: SEC Network
Streaming: WatchESPN
Radio: Gator IMG Sports Network
Projected Starters
| Florida | Pos. | Ht. | Wt. | Class | Per Game |
| Devin Robinson | F | 6-8 | 200 | Junior | 13.3 pts / 7.3 reb |
| Justin Leon | F | 6-8 | 206 | Senior | 10.3 pts / 3.7 reb |
| John Egbunu | C | 6-11 | 255 | R-Junior | 9.0 pts / 8.7 reb |
| KeVaughn Allen | G | 6-2 | 183 | Sophomore | 7.0 pts / 2.5 asts |
| Kasey Hill | PG | 6-1 | 175 | Senior | 11.7 pts / 2.7 asts |
| Belmont | Pos. | Ht. | Wt. | Class | Per Game |
| amanze egekeze | F | 6-8 | 220 | Junior | 12.5 pts / 3.5 reb |
| Evan bradds | F | 6-7 | 205 | Senior | 22.5 pts / 11.0 reb |
| austin luke | G | 6-3 | 200 | R-Junior | 10.5 pts / 7.5 asts |
| dylan windler | G | 6-7 | 190 | Sophomore | 6.5 pts / 6.0 reb |
| taylor barnette | G | 6-3 | 185 | Senior | 7.5 pts / 3.5 asts |
Preview
The Gators are now heading into their fourth game of an 11 game stretch away from home to start the season. Florida is now 3-0 with wins over FGCU, Mercer, and St. Bonaventure. Belmont fell in its first game of the season at Vanderbilt, then defeated Western Kentucky at home.
St. Bonaventure gave the Gators a scare last week, as Florida gave up a 15-point lead in the second half and needed a 7-0 run in the final minute of the game to win 73-67. The Bonnies tested Florida’s defense with two very good three-point shooters that each scored 20+ points in the game. Belmont is going to try to do the same thing. Austin Luke and Nick Smith shot a combined 10-for-14 from beyond the arc in Belmont’s win over Western Kentucky. The Bruins have shot 75 three-point attempts so far this season. That is 18 more than the Gators have shot through three games. Belmont had 41 attempts against Vanderbilt and 34 against Western Kentucky.
Belmont’s biggest offensive threat, Taylor Bradds, is averaging a double-double at 22.5 points and 11.0 rebounds per game. Bradds led the nation with a .741 field goal percentage last season. His physicality and ball skills make him very dangerous.
Belmont will be another tough mid-major game for Florida. Four starters return to the team that earned a NIT bid last season. The Gators have only met the Bruins one time in history. Florida dominated Belmont in that meeting 107-55 back in 2001 at home.
The Gators need to rebuild some confidence in this game before heading to Tampa for the Advocare Invitational where they will face Seton Hall in the first round of the tournament and could also play Gonzaga, two teams that were in the NCAA Tournament last season.