Florida basketball will face another test to its competitive mindset when it plays at reeling South Carolina on Wednesday (7 p.m., SEC Network).

The No. 6 Florida Gators (16-2, 3-2 SEC) will face a South Carolina team still seeking its first conference win. The Gamecocks (10-8, 0-5) have dropped five straight since beating Presbyterian 69-59 in its final non-conference game on Dec. 30.

South Carolina was an NCAA Tournament team a season ago under third-year coach Lamont Paris and beat the Gators 82-76 in Columbia last season on March 2, 2024. The Gamecocks return several key players from that squad, including talented 6-foot-7 wing defender Zachary Davis (8.9 ppg, 4.1 apg) and sophomore forward Collin Murray-Boyles (15.4 ppg, 9.2 rpg), who earned freshman All-SEC honors last season.

“They’re a very physical team,” Florida basketball coach Todd Golden said. “They guard hard. Obviously, being on the road is a challenge in itself, but going against a physical program like South Carolina will be even more of a challenge.” 

South Carolina has lost its two SEC home games by an average of three points, including a 66-63 loss to No. 1 Auburn on Jan. 11. Per Fan Duel, Florida is an 11.5-point favorite.

“Their record doesn’t really show what they have on the roster,” Florida guard Alijah Martin said. “They are a better team than what their record is. We’re going to get their best shot.”

Can Florida basketball’s frontcourt outplay South Carolina’s frontcourt?

Murray-Boyles and Florida sophomore forward Alex Condon both have built off their all-SEC freshman seasons. The 6-8, 245-pound Murray-Boyles has posted a team-high 28 steals in addition to being South Carolina’s leading scorer and rebounder. The 6-11 Condon, meanwhile, is averaging 10.8 points and 8.2 rebounds and has notched double-doubles in three of his last four games.

At 6-10 and 260 pounds, Florida center Rueben Chinyelu (5.8 pg, 7.2 rpg, 1.1 bpg) has maintained his physicality inside while catching the ball better in the post and finishing better around the rim. Chinyelu had nine points on 4-for-6 shooting in UF’s win over Texas.

“He’s a really hard worker,” Golden said. “He’s been that way since he’s got here. I think it’s just a combination of just getting more comfortable and getting to a point where he knows where his spots are and he’s executing on that and more confident.”

South Carolina center Nick Pringle (9.9 ppg, 6.3 ppg), an Alabama transfer, is another post scoring threat for the Gamecocks, though UF boasts quality frontcourt depth with sophomore forward Tommy Haugh (7.6 ppg. 5.3 rpg) and junior forward Sam Alexis (5.5 ppg, 4.5 rpg). UF could do more damage on the boards against South Carolina, as the Gators lead the SEC in rebounding margin (plus-11.8) while South Carolina ranks 10th (plus-2.9)

Can Florida basketball point guard Walter Clayton Jr. set a new school 3-point record?

Clayton has made at least one 3-pointer in 41 straight games for UF, tying Michael Frazier II, who set his mark in 2014-15. He can set the record on Wednesday against the Gamecocks. Clayton (17.9 ppg) is coming off a 19-point performance against Texas and has averaged 23.5 points over his last two games, going 16-for-32 from the floor and 5-for-12 from 3-point range during the stretch.

“Walt’s obviously one of the most talented players in America,” Golden said. “He does not need much time or space to be able to get those shots up. And sometimes, just like we learned with (Missouri guard) Caleb Grill last week, you can highly contest a shot and it’s still going to go in. Walt’s one of those guys. You might play great defense on him, but great offense is a little better than great defense sometimes. “

How will Florida basketball handle target as a highly ranked team on the road?

Florida is 2-1 in true road games this season and is coming off a 71-63 win in its last road game on Jan. 11 at Arkansas. South Carolina fans are known to get up for games against the Gators at Colonial Life Arena, which, when full, seats 18,000.

“We’re a pretty good road team,” Martin said. “But you know, winning on the road is hard. Winning in general is hard. But to go on the road and win is harder. So you know we just have to be on it from tip and super sharp.”

Prediction

Florida 72, South Carolina 61: Florida’s frontcourt depth will play a role and withstanding fatigue and foul trouble to help secure another SEC road win. Clayton will sink a 3-pointer in the first half to secure the UF record of 42 straight games with a 3-pointer and will play more careful with the ball to help UF maintain a second-half lead.

Kevin Brockway is The Gainesville Sun’s Florida beat writer. Contact him at [email protected]. Follow him on X @KevinBrockwayG1