Texas A&M vs. Florida: TV Schedule, Live Stream, Spread Info and More

The No. 13 Florida Gators get their third shot of the season at a ranked team when they face No. 22 Texas A&M on Saturday. The game, part of the MetroPCS Orange Bowl Basketball Classic, will pit the Gators’ offense (fourth in the country in scoring) against the Aggies’ grinding man-to-man defense. 

Where: BankAtlantic Center (Sunrise, FL)

When: Saturday, 2:30 p.m. ET

Watch: Fox Sports Southwest or Fox Sports Florida, or live stream at firstrowsports.tv

Listen: Texas A&M: WTAW 1620, Florida: WRUF 850

Betting Line

Florida -8.5, according to BetOnline.com. The Aggies’ defense is strong enough that even without winning, they should be able to keep the Gators from covering this generous spread.

Key Injuries

Texas A&M F Kourtney Roberson (ankle), questionable

What’s At Stake?

Neither team has beaten a ranked opponent yet, so both have a shot at a signature win here. For the Aggies, the matchup has the added challenge (and potential benefit) of being a virtual road game.

What They’re Saying

First-year Aggies coach Billy Kennedy knows how much his team has to gain in this Top 25 matchup. As reported by gatorcountry.com, Kennedy said, “I told our guys that you only get so many special opportunities on your schedule to gain the attention and respect of the college basketball world.”

Florida, for its part, recognizes that it’ll need some defense of its own to match up with A&M. Assistant coach Norm Roberts told gatorzone.com that Kenny Boynton “wants to be a complete player” and that leading the defense is “a role we need him to play for us at times—as well as scoring.”

Texas A&M Player To Watch

SF Khris Middleton was the Aggies’ top scoring threat a year ago, but he’s coming off a knee injury and has played just one game since having surgery. He’ll need to put points on the board, probably against star freshman Bradley Beal.

Florida Player To Watch

PG Erving Walker is a streaky shooter, but if he gets hot from long range, he could bomb the Aggies out of the ballgame very quickly.

Key Matchup

Florida SG Kenny Boynton vs. Texas A&M SG Elston Turner. Turner must corral Boynton, the Gators’ leading scorer, while also providing a perimeter scoring threat (he’s shooting 40 percent from long range).

Prediction

The de facto home court advantage and the Gators’ plethora of offensive weapons will be too much for the Aggies, but don’t expect a blowout. The A&M defense will slow down Walker and company well enough to take this game right down to the wire.