Florida basketball looking to win fourth-straight conference game

Things didn’t look good for Florida basketball after an 0-3 start to conference play, but the Gators have a chance to get above .500 against Southeastern Conference opponents on Monday in Mississippi.

Ole Miss was supposed to host Florida on Dec. 29 to kick off conference play, but the game was postponed after several Florida players entered the NCAA’s health and safety protocols. The Rebels are only 9-9 this year and are 1-6 against the SEC. They did push Tennessee to overtime, though, and Florida will be without its star center Colin Castleton, who is dealing with a left shoulder injury.

Freshman guard Kowacie Reeves has stepped up over the last five games, leading the team in plus-minus in four of them. The Gators have been looking for some consistency in the backcourt and Reeves appears to be the team’s best option right now. Myreon Jones and Tyree Appleby have both had moments of brilliance this season, but neither has been consistent enough to stay in the starting rotation.

The Gators are working with a smaller lineup now that Castelton is unavailable, but his absence has led to the emergence of backup center Jason Jitoboh. In two starts, Jitoboh has totaled 16 points (on 6 of 9 shooting), 12 rebounds and three blocks. He is still learning to stay out of foul trouble, but Jitoboh is a far more productive player for the Gators now than he has ever been.

Both teams will be without their leading scorers on Monday. Rebels guard Jarkel Joiner is dealing with a back problem and has been out for a few weeks recovering.

Ole Miss does have a 7-foot center that Florida needs to deal with, but the Gators should be able to keep the win streak alive before heading to Tennessee on Wednesday.

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Tip-off is at 7 p.m EST in Oxford, Mississippi.

Projected Starting Lineups:

FLORIDA