IHTIT: Tennessee Vols at Florida Gators Basketball Preview 2025

Back-to-back road tests start for UT in Gainesville

Recently

Tennessee (#1 AP, 13-0, 1-0 SEC) started off conference play on the right foot, dismissing Arkansas 76-52, dominating the boards and outrebounding the Hogs 51-29, including 24-9 on the offensive boards.

Meanwhile Florida (#8 AP, 13-1, 0-1 SEC) took a tough loss in Lexington, falling 100-106 in overtime to Kentucky.

Previously on Vols vs Gators

Tennessee walloped Florida 85-66 in last year’s meeting in Knoxville. It was UT’s 8th win in the last 10 meetings between the schools, however, the Vols have won just once in their last six trips to Gainesville. Tuck that fact away for later. Tennessee has a 81-59 lead in the series all-time.

Paper Bullets of the Brain

• This will be just the second time in Florida’s history they’ll have played back-to-back games against AP top 10 teams, the previous time to close the 2007 NCAA tournament against #10 Oregon, #7 UCLA and #1 Ohio State.

• Florida is 2-17 all-time against #1 teams, including 0-5 at home.

• Tennessee is 14-2 all-time as #1, including a 13-1 record as #1 under Rick Barnes.

• The Vols are 4-2 in their last six SEC road openers.

• Florida has won their last 15 games at home.

Prediction

In brief, I don’t like this one. There are going to be road losses in the SEC this season by sheer difficulty of winning on the road in this league. I’m afraid this will be one. Florida comes in ticked off about their road loss to Kentucky, a game where the Gators shot lights out (81% from two, 35% from three,) and out-rebounded the Cats 15-9 on the offensive glass. In fact, considering UT’s rebounding effort Saturday, that might be the key to the game—who can get an edge on the offensive glass. Look for a close game, but unfortunately I can’t see Tennessee escaping this one. Tennessee 70, Florida 74.