Florida Gators Host Texas A&M Aggies in SEC Showdown

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The No. 3 Florida Gators will look to bounce back from a recent loss as they host the No. 12 Texas A&M Aggies on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center. The game will be broadcast live at 8:30 p.m. ET on SEC Network, where Florida is a 9.5-point favorite.

With a record of 24-4 (11-4 SEC), the Gators are riding a wave of momentum despite their last outing ending in an 88-83 defeat against Georgia. Florida is 20-8 against the spread this season and has shown strength at home, boasting a 13-1 record in Gainesville. Senior guard Walter Clayton Jr. leads Florida with an average of 17.1 points and 4.0 assists per game.

The Aggies (20-8, 9-6 SEC) come into this matchup struggling, having lost three consecutive games. Their recent performance has dropped them to sixth place in the SEC standings, and they aim to turn their fortunes around against a formidable opponent. Senior point guard Wade Taylor IV has been a bright spot for Texas A&M, averaging 15.3 points and 4.8 assists per game.

Florida’s offense has been prolific this season, averaging 83.6 points per game (11th in college basketball), while allowing just 67.1 points per contest. They possess a strong rebounding presence, securing an average of 39.3 rebounds per game, placing them third in the nation. Meanwhile, Texas A&M’s average of 73.9 points per game ranks them 199th overall.

This SEC matchup is critical for both teams, as they prepare for the upcoming conference tournament scheduled for March 12-16 in Nashville, Tennessee. Both sides aim to bolster their postseason resumes with a solid showing this weekend.

“We know we need to make adjustments after our last game,” Clayton said. “We are focused on taking it one game at a time and executing our game plan against Texas A&M.”

In terms of statistics, the Gators excel in shooting from beyond the arc, converting 35.1% of their three-point attempts while holding opponents to just 29.2%. The Aggies, on the other hand, struggle from deep, making only 30.6% of their attempts.

The matchup promises to be highly competitive, with Florida seeking to capitalize on their home court advantage while Texas A&M aims to end their losing streak and reclaim their confidence. As the clock ticks down to tip-off, all eyes will be on how both teams respond under pressure.