Florida basketball set to begin conference play with No. 15 Alabama

Florida was supposed to start off conference play against the Ole Miss Rebels, but that matchup was postponed due to UF’s COVID-19 issues. Now the Gators will begin the new year by hosting No. 15 Alabama Wednesday following two weeks of no official action.

Myreon Jones was the first Gator to miss time due to the health and safety protocols, and he’s not listed in the projected starting lineup for the Alabama game. Phlandrous Fleming Jr. should replace Jones in the starting five, and Florida has actually seen more success with him in the lineup, especially against Power Five opponents.

The Crimson Tide have one of the better teams in the Southeastern Conference, but that hasn’t made them impervious to the occasional slip-up. ‘Bama has dropped games to Rick Pitino’s Iona, Memphis (the Tigers dropped 92 points), and Davidson this season. They opened conference play with a win over No. 14 Tennesee, though, so the Tide appears to have figured things out just in time.

Alabama also has a 7-foot center to deal with Colin Castleton, Florida’s most consistent scorer. The Gators’ shooting has been streaky all season, and Jones is considered one of the team’s best shooters. If Castelton gets into early foul trouble, Florida might find it tough to get to the basket in this one.

Tip-off is at 7 p.m EST at the O’Connell Center.

Projected Starting Lineups:

FLORIDA