Gator Invade Memorial Gym to take on Vanderbilt in SEC Matchup

The Florida Gators (12-8 overall) visit Nashville tonight to take on the Vanderbilt Commodores in an important conference matchup for both squads.

The Vanderbilt Commodores men's basketball team (8-12 overall 0-6 in SEC )are in desperate need of a win as they prepare to host the Florida Gators (12=8 overall, 4-3 in SEC) inside Memorial Gym. 

On a current three-game losing streak of their own, the Gators are almost in a must-win scenario tonight as a fourth straight loss, with Georgia awaiting next week could doom their conference season. 

The fortunes of the Commodores season took a turn for the worst earlier this season and it has been a tough road for head coach Jerry Stackhouse and his team to reinvent themselves halfway through the season. It's been a challenge that both he and his players have not shied away from.

While things look bad from a fan's perspective, the Commodores' most recent performance on the road in Lexington should make even the most disappointed fan take notice of the heart and effort with which this team is still competing.  

It will take a similar effort, and better shooting to end their current losing streak and top the Gators today. 

The Gators have had struggles of their own this season, thanks in part to a young roster that is playing the majority of minutes for Mike White and Florida.   

Florida enters the contest averaging 73.2 ppg while allowing opponents to score 67.2 per game. The Gators rebound the basketball well, averaging 36.2 per outing while .their opponents average just 29.3 a game. 

Senior transfer Kerry Blackshear Jr. leads the Gators offense in both points (14.4) and rebounds (8.2) while averaging 28.4 minutes per game. He's one of three Gators averaging double figures in scoring. 

The Gators bench is also an advantage against Vanderbilt, as White has eight players who log double-digit minutes per game. 

While there is certainly more to Florida than just Blackshear, he is their best player and provides a big, strong physical presence inside that has given the Commodores trouble all season.  

Vanderbilt must do a good job protecting the basketball, getting on the board- for the entire game, after being even with Kentucky in the first half, they lost the battle in the second half- if they are going to have a chance in this game. 

 Vanderbilt also needs a strong shooting performance from multiple players. Dylan DIsu was a star at Kentucky, and Saben Lee and Scottie Pippen Jr. were their consistent selves, but someone else must step up and add another scoring option this time around.    

Not many people give Vanderbilt much of a chance, but this is a Florida team capable of being underwhelming at times. If that is the case tonight, then the Commodores, with a solid performance could have a shot.