by
The Florida State Seminoles will host the No.20 Florida Gators in Tallahassee on Friday evening. The Gators are the 5.5-point favorites to win the Sunshine Showdown. We tell you who will get local bragging rights when we name our NCAAB betting picks.
- What: 2024/25 Men’s College Basketball
- Who: Florida State Seminoles vs. Florida Gators
- Where: Donald L. Tucker, Tallahassee, Florida
- When: Friday, November 15th, 2024
- Tip-Off: 6 pm. ET
Dating back to 1951, the Sunshine Showdown is contested between the oldest public universities in Florida.
Since 1978, this has been an annual fixture. The Gators lead 28-23 over this period (some seasons the two have met more than once). The Gators also lead the overall rivalry 46-28.
Florida State has had more success in recent years. They won seven consecutive matches between 2014 and 2020, but the Gators have had the better of the recent exchanges and are on a three-match winning streak (2021-2024).
Florida State Seminoles vs. Florida Gators Match Betting
The Gators are the favorites to win on the money line. Florida is -210, with Florida State at +175.
The Gators had a 17-4 record in matches they started as the favorites last season.
On the spread, the Seminoles are receiving a 5.5-point start. To win with the spread, Florida State is -110. The Gators are -110 to win and cover the spread.
The total line is set at 156.5. Over and under are both -110.
Check out our Seminoles vs. Gators NCAAB betting lines on our college basketball betting table. Our NCAAB odds are from the best college basketball betting sites.
| Florida State vs. Florida |  |  |  |
| Florida State | +175 | +175 | +175 |
| Florida | -210 | -210 | -210 |
| Florida State (+5.5) | -110 | -110 | -110 |
| Florida (-5.5) | -110 | -110 | -110 |
| Over 156.5 | -110 | -110 | -110 |
| Under 156.5 | -110 | -110 | -110 |
Florida State Seminoles
Florida State has started the new season with three consecutive wins. The Seminoles opened up with a 74-62 win over Northern Kentucky. They backed that victory up with a 73-65 win on the road over the Rice Owls.
In their most recent fixture, the Seminoles defeated the Tarleton State Texans 72-52 on Tuesday night in Tallahassee.
Florida State is +10000 to win the Atlantic Coast Conference. Only Boston College has longer odds at +15000. The favorite to win the ACC is Duke at +105.
Florida Gators
The Florida Gators started the season as the No.21 team in the AP Rankings. Early season wins over South Florida (98-83) on the road and Jacksonville (81-60) at the O’Dome saw the Gators promoted one place to No.20 when the week 2 rankings were announced.
In their most recent performance, the Gators made light work of the Grambling State Tigers, defeating them 86-62, again at the O’Dome.
The Florida Gators are +2200 to win the SEC. Winning this conference is a big ask for any school when you look at the competitive nature of the division. No.2 Alabama (+225) is the betting favorite.
But as well as the Crimson Tide, the Gators will face competition from Auburn (+250), Tennessee (+350), Arkansas (+1200), Texas A&M (+1400), Kentucky (+1600), and Texas (+1800).
In the betting to win the 2025 National Championship match, the Gators are massive +6000 outsiders.
Florida State Seminoles vs. Florida Gators Betting Picks
Starting with the total points, the statistics are pointing towards over 156.5.
In the 2023/24 season, the two teams scored a combined average of 162.1 points per game.
So far in the limited knowledge we have this season, Florida State has scored an average of 73 points in their three matches, while giving up 59.66 points per match. Their matches have been way under the spread (132.66).
The Gators have scored 265 points at an average of 88.33 and conceded 205 points at an average of 68.33 points per match. The visitors’ matches have been bang on the spread (156.66).
Combine the two teams’ offensive stats, and the total is 161.33.
It is a local rivalry as well, meaning it is likely to generate more attacking play as both teams will be fired up for the fixture.
Our first betting pick is over 156.5 points.
Match winner pick
The Gators have guards Walter Clayton Jr. and Will Richard averaging 16.7 and 16.0 points per match this season.
Furthermore, Clayton Jr. has added three rebounds and four assists, and Richard has 5.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists. The duo provides a solid platform for Florida to build on.
Further forward, Alex Condon has also been in impressive form with 15.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per match.
The trio will likely cause the Seminoles plenty of problems offensively and are some of the main reasons we predict the Gators will extend their winning run over the hosts.
Do we back Florida on the money line or the spread is the question?
First, we don’t see 5.5 points as a huge amount in a match like this. Yes, the Gators will take a win of any kind. But we can see there being daylight between the two teams.
The statistics from last season do go against the Gators. They were favored by five or more 16 times and only covered in five of those matches. But the spreads were often way above five, and in matches that weren’t against local rivals.
Overall, it may be a risk, but with the difference in odds between the money line and the spread, we say it’s a risk worth taking. The Gators to win and cover is our pick.
See below our list of the best offshore sportsbooks for US customers and choose the one that suits you best:
Sports Betting Sites 