Georgia vs. Florida: How to watch, odds, predictions from ESPN, KenPom

Georgia is looking for another SEC victory in Mike White’s return to Gainesville, but it won’t come easy, as the Bulldogs travel to the Exactech Arena at Stephen C. O’Connell Center on Saturday to take on the Florida Gators. Ahead of the game, which will be broadcast live on SEC Network, predictions and betting odds – including KenPom analytics – are rolling in.

How to watch Georgia vs. Florida

Tip-off: 1 p.m. ET

Location: Exactech Arena at Stephen C. O’Connell Center, Gainesville, Florida

Channel: SEC Network

Vegas odds

Florida is a 6.5-point favorite over Georgia on Saturday, according to VegasInsider. The over-under is set at 137.5 points.

ESPN BPI prediction

Predicted winner: Florida

Predicted point differential: 9.6

Win probability (for Florida): 80.7%

Matchup quality: 70.0

ESPN’s College Basketball Power Index (BPI) is a tool that measures team strength and uses that to predict outcomes of future performances. ESPN’s BPI has Georgia vs Florida ranked as the 28th highest-rated game on Saturday’s slate in terms of matchup quality.

KenPom prediction

Predicted final score: Florida 72, Georgia 65

Win probability (for Florida): 75%

KenPom is another tool that provides advanced analysis across college basketball. Like ESPN, KenPom projects that Florida comes away with a victory over Georgia.

Mike White says return to Florida with Georgia will be about ‘business’

Georgia basketball coach Mike White made an interesting move last offseason when he left Florida to take a rival’s job. Now, as he returns to Gainesville, White admits that there are reasons to be emotional, but, at the same time, he wants to keep things all business. 

White had been asked about this following the Bulldogs’ win over Auburn.

“Business,” Mike White said. “That’s it.” 

While White is focused on business. It’s impossible not to feel some of the weight that comes with going back to his old community. Despite the rivalry, Florida and the city of Gainesville mean a lot to him.

“You know, Gainesville is a place I love. I’ve got five kids that were raised in Gainesville for seven years, and the second half of their development will, Lord willing, be in Athens. But, it’s a special place. It’s a place Kira and myself and all the kids, we love it. We had a great time there. I’ll always be appreciative,” White continued. 

“I’m looking forward to seeing some family and some friends. Really, being honest with you, a lot of people in those stands I’m anxious to see. I care about them and people throughout the community and so on.”

At the same time, White doesn’t want his return to Gainesville to be a distraction. He expects his team to be focused. So, he needs to lead by example.

“That said, shootaround is going on, I’m gonna be locked in. Guys, I expect them to be locked in. I’ve got to model it, right, and when that thing’s tipped–I mean, we’re going down there to see if we can get a little bit better. See if maybe we can put ourselves in a position to maybe steal one on the road. That’s the name of the game.”

On3’s Dan Morrison contributed to this article.