Florida basketball faces Texas A&M in SEC Tournament Game 3

The Florida Gators finished the regular season 19-12 and outside of most NCAA Tournament projections. A deep run in the SEC Tournament might be the team’s only chance at making it to the big dance and it starts on Thursday against Texas A&M.

The Gators are the lower-seeded team coming into the game (No. 9 compared to No. 8 Texas A&M), but they should enjoy somewhat of a home advantage throughout the conference tournament with it being in Tampa.

The last time these two teams met, Florida lost a heartbreaker by one point on a missed shot from Phlandrous Fleming Jr. late in the game. The difference on the scoreboard ended up being the third and final made free-throw attempt by Texas A&M’s Wade Taylor IV. Fleming was the one who sent Taylor to the line too.

If Florida is going to advance past the first round of this tournament, Fleming will need to be better than he was in that game. He made just two of 11 shots on the evening, and the Gators need him to score to be a competitive team. Colin Castleton recorded a 15-point and 15-rebound double-double in February against the Aggies, and he should enjoy the same freedoms this time around with no true big man to deal with him in their starting five.

If the Gators can get the win on Thursday, they’ll have to face the top-seeded Auburn Tigers on Friday. Florida managed to upset Auburn at home in February, but it will be tough to repeat even with the home-state advantage.

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐁𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐊𝐄𝐓.#SECMBB x #SECTourney pic.twitter.com/ltcD9R50M8

— Southeastern Conference (@SEC) March 6, 2022

How to follow Florida basketball vs Texas A&M

Tip-off is at noon EST at the Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida.

Projected Starting Lineups:

FLORIDA

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