Florida vs. Missouri: Game preview, prediction, TV Schedule

The Missouri Tigers take on the Florida Gators at home in a game that could have big implications in both the SEC and the NCAA Tournament picture.

TV Schedule: Saturday, Jan. 6, 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS

Arena: Mizzou Arena, Columbia, Missouri

In the SEC, anything can happen, and, with Cuonzo Martin leading your team, anything will happen.

The Missouri Tigers dreams looked to be dashed when it was announced expected top NBA draft pick Michael Porter Jr. would miss the rest of the season due to an injury, but, in case you missed it, the rest of the Tigers were pretty talented to begin with, and this team is fairly close to competing for a chance at the NCAA Tournament.

The loss to the Illinois Fighting Illini is the only bad loss the 11-3 Tigers have and, if this team can win a game or two against solid SEC NCAA Tournament teams and avoid bad losses (which they did on the road against South Carolina), Missouri could be dancing in March.

However, their next opponents, the Florida Gators, will be ready to try and prove to everyone that they are the class of the SEC, coming off a dominant performance over Texas A&M on the road. Florida absolutely destroyed the beleaguered Aggies and look to be back to playing their best basketball after a rough month or so.

The Gators are the better team, but Martin always has his teams play up to their opponents. I expect a close game and would not be surprised if the Tigers win.

Next: Where do these teams rank in current bracketology?

However, I think the pressure is off the Gators now and they won’t be slowed down until at least their game with Arkansas on the 22.

Prediction: Florida 78, Missouri 69