The Florida Gators take on the TCU Horned Frogs on Thanksgiving in the first round of the Rady Children’s Invitational at 3 p.m. ET.
Although the Orange and Blue enter the game as the favorite, Florida can’t afford to take its opponent lightly. TCU is a top-50 team in defensive efficiency, according to KenPom, and plays much slower than UF. Dictating the pace early and punishing the size mismatch in the post would allow the Gators to take a significant lead early.
The Horned Frogs play small, even more so with center Malick Diallo out of the picture with a torn ACL. Florida possesses one of the top frontcourts in the country, with 6-foot-9 Thomas Haugh leading the charge at small forward. Haugh, Alex Condon (6-11) and Rueben Chinyelu (6-10) all have a height advantage on TCU’s tallest starting forward — Xavier Edmonds (6-8).
As the saying goes, you can’t teach height. While size doesn’t always guarantee a certain outcome, Florida should be able to dominate the glass. The Gators are averaging 52.8 rebounds per game, compared to TCU’s 37.0 — of course, this number is slightly elevated for Florida due to its 3-point shooting percentage of .257.
Still, attacking the rim should be difficult for TCU, and Florida’s bigs can control the game with some stout defense.
Probable Startine Lineups
Florida Gators
TCU Horned Frogs
Todd Golden talks TCU Horned Frogs
“Coach Dixon is part of the same crew that Randy Bennett and Kyle Smith were coming up, West Coast guys,” Golden said. “I feel like I know him and his program pretty well, and they’re physical. They compete really, really hard. That’s one thing that a TCU team is going to do. They are good defensively. They’re really active. They do a good job in their ball screen coverages, being physical.
“For us, a big part of it is just holding on the ball. Our team has struggled a little bit with turnovers at times. This game is going to be similar to some of our conference opponents. They like to put two on the ball. They like to trap in the post. They’re trying to put you in scenarios where you kick the ball around. So, this is going to be a big-time ball control scout for us. And trying to put them in scenarios where we have four-on-threes and three-on-twos on the backside and then play. Definitely mindful of how good their defense.”
Players to watch for
TCU’s best performance of the year came in a loss to Michigan. The Horned Frogs led for most of the game, with starting guard Brock Harding leading the scoring with 15 points. Considering the frontcourt matchup favors Florida, Harding might be the focal point of the TCU offense once again.
Starting forward David Punch is another primary source of points for TCU, but the frontcourt matchup could force a deviation from the plan. The same goes for Micah Robinson, who is the team’s second-highest scorer. Punch averages 10.6 points per game, and Robinson gives TCU 10.8 off the bench. Punch and Robinson are also the primary rebounders for TCU, averaging 6.2 and 6.0 boards, respectively.
What channel is Florida vs. TCU on today?
Florida vs. TCU will be broadcast nationally on FOX in the Rady Children’s Invitational on Thanksgiving. Cory Provus and Donny Marshall will call the game from the sidelines at Jenny Craig Pavilion. Streaming options for the game include FUBO, which offers a free trial to new subscribers.
Florida vs. TCU time today
The Florida vs. TCU game starts at 3 p.m. from inside Jenny Craig Pavilion in San Diego, California.
Watch Florida vs. TCU with Fubo free trial
Florida vs. TCU odds, money line, over/under
Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Thursday, Nov. 27
Florida vs. TCU predictions, picks for college basketball
The Gators have one of the best front courts in the country, and compared to the average-sized Horned Frogs — they have a pair of players listed at 6-foot-10-inches or taller — they should not have any issues continuing their dominance. The key will be getting the back court of Boogie Fland and Xavian Lee going.
It is hard to bank on the back court finally gelling on the West Coast on Thanksgiving, but Florida’s front three will bruise their way to the team’s fifth win.
PREDICTION: Florida 78, TCU 63
Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Previewing Florida’s Thanksgiving matchup with TCU
Reporting by David Rosenberg, Gators Wire / Gators Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
