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Game preview: Gamecock men face another ranked opponent in No. 20 Gators

South Carolina hits the road to Gainesville before returning home for the Big 12/SEC Challenge.

Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports

South Carolina (12-7, 3-4 SEC) at No. 20 Florida (14-5, 6-1)

Start time: 7 p.m.

TV: SEC Network

Live stream: watchespn.com

Last game

The Gamecocks fell short of a sweep of Top 25 opponents at home, dropping a tough 70-63 contest against Tennessee on Saturday after toppling Kentucky earlier that week. South Carolina stayed close with the Volunteers and twice looked like it would complete a game-winning push, but was ultimately undone by a rough performance at the free-throw line (17 of 27) and foul trouble to Chris Silva and Maik Kotsar, which limited the Gamecocks’ inside game. Justin Minaya and Wes Myers led South Carolina with 16 points apiece.

What to watch for

This is the Gamecocks and Gators’ first matchup since last March, when South Carolina beat Florida in the NCAA Tournament to reach the program’s first Final Four. However, only four combined starters return from those squads. The Gators’ 6-1 mark in SEC play leads the league, and they’re coming off a great week with wins against Arkansas and at No. 18 Kentucky. Egor Koulechov paces Florida with 14.4 points per game, followed by Chris Chiozza (12.3) and KeVaughn Allen (11.3).