Mississippi State (16-7, 5-5 SEC) vs. Florida (14-9, 3-7 SEC)
Game Information: Feb. 9 | 7 p.m. ET
Live Stream: SEC Network
Radio: 98.1FM/850AM WRUF
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
Game Notes: Media Center
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Florida women's basketball will return home this Thursday, Feb. 9, when Mississippi State visits Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center for Florida's Play4Kay women's cancer awareness game.
The game will air live on SEC Network at 7 p.m. ET with Eric Frede and Tamika Catchings on the call, while Kyle Crooks and Brittany Davis will handle radio responsibilities on 98.1FM/850AM WRUF.
SERIES HISTORY
The Gators and Bulldogs meet for the 53rd time on Thursday evening, with the all-time series sitting knotted at 26 wins each. Last year, UF snapped an eight-game losing skid to MSU, winning on the road, 73-64.
AT THE GAME
Thursday marks Florida's annual Play4Kay game where the Gators will celebrate female cancer survivors. Gators fans will be able to pick up a schedule magnet as well as pink shakers at the game, while all fans 18 and younger are still able to attend the game for free through the remainder of Southeastern Conference play.
A LOOK BACK
Last season, Florida put an end to an eight-game losing skid to Mississippi State, defeating the Bulldogs 73-64 in Starkville. Capturing their first victory over MSU since March 6, 2014,
Zippy Broughton led the way with 21 points, seven rebounds and four assists while
Kiara Smith added 12 points and nine rebounds. The victory also marked the first road win in the series for UF since Jan. 10, 2013 when they defeat the Bulldogs, 61-55. Sunday will mark the first meeting with neither team ranked since 2014.
DOUBLE-DOUBLE
KK Deans recorded her first career double-double against Ole Miss on Feb. 5, leading the Gators with 10 points and 10 rebounds. The 10 rebounds for the senior marked the first time in her career she's grabbed at least 10 boards.
PLAYING WITH PACE
Florida likes to get up and down the court on offense, currently holding the 40th-fastest pace in the NCAA with an average of 74.8 possessions per 40 minutes. That pace puts them at fourth-fastest in the SEC behind Arkansas (75.7), Kentucky (75.6) and Auburn (75.3).
TO THE LINE
Florida women's basketball is elite when it comes to getting to the free throw line, knocking down 15.17 per game which is fourth in the SEC and 24th in the nation. They average 21.43 attempts per game, sitting at fourth in the conference and 20th nationally.
NET UPDATE
After falling to Ole Miss on Feb. 5, Florida remains at 87th in the NET rankings. All 14 SEC schools sit within the top 120, while South Carolina and LSU sit at first and third, respectively.
RAINING THREES
KK Deans is closing in on the top-15 for triples made in a single season at UF as she currently has made 49, needing six more to break into the record book. Rimdal is also looking at one of the best seasons for a sophomore, needing 49 total threes to mark the fifth-best output by a sophomore and she has currently knocked-down 33.
60: THE MAGIC NUMBER
Under the leadership of
Kelly Rae Finley, Florida's defense will always be a point of emphasis. Helping to prove that point, the Gators own a perfect 23-0 mark under Finely when holding opponents to 60 points or less.
- #GoGators -
