The Florida Gators will take on the Maryland Terrapins in the NCAA Tournament's East Region Sweet 16 on Thursday evening as March Madness continues to roll along.
The top-seeded UF squad has won seven in a row, including an SEC Tournament title plus victories over the 16th-seeded Norfolk State Spartans and the eighth-seeded — and two-time defending national champions — UConn Huskies in the first two rounds. This is the Orange and Blue's first visit to the second weekend of the Big Dance since 2017.
The two schools have split their four all-time matchups. Florida won the first two in 1932 and 2002. Maryland took the more recent games in 2003 and 2021. The Gators come into this contest favored by seven points according to the oddsmakers, but anything can happen in the NCAA Tournament.
Below is a look at how the Gators Wire staff sees the game going down in San Francisco on Thursday evening.
'Florida's got the edge'
"I believe Florida has the edge heading into this Sweet 16 clash with Maryland. The Gators are clicking at the right time and I truly believe that gritty, hard-nosed battle against UConn in their last game showed that the Gators can win those types of ugly games. Maryland's a solid team, but they haven't faced a team like Florida that can really put you on your heels if you don't stay focused.
"If the Gators can take care of the ball and keep pounding the glass, it's hard to see Maryland keeping up. Bottom line: Florida's depth and toughness should carry them through." — Aidan Gallardo
Prediction: Florida 77, Maryland 70
'This game is going to be decided by the bench'
"Both Florida and Maryland boast elite starting fives, so this game is going to be decided by the bench. Fortunately, the Gators have one of the deepest rosters in the country and like to outlast their opponent until the conditioning fails. When they see a moment, the Orange and Blue strike and put the game away, which is exactly what I expect to happen on Thursday.
"The Terrapins play at about the same pace as the Gators, so there will be no Big East slowdown of the game as we saw against UConn. They also have a top-six defense, while Florida has a top-two offense. Something is going to have to give, and it will probably be Maryland's defense whenever the starters are catching their breath. Thomas Haugh legacy game incoming? Bet on it." — David Rosenberg
Prediction: Florida 81, Maryland 74
'Will complacency be a problem again?'
"The Gators have shown their mortality in the first two tournament games, letting their foot off the gas for the final 25 minutes of the first-round game and needing a late rally to prevail in the second round. While Florida still earned the win in those games, the team has not been clicking quite as well as during the SEC Tournament, but it is still the hottest team in the nation.
"Will complacency be a problem again on Thursday? Do not count on it. Golden and Co. are in this for the big trophy." — Adam Dubbin
Prediction: Florida 77, Maryland 67
Watch Florida vs Maryland in Sweet 16
The Gators will take on the Terrapins on Thursday, March 27, in the NCAA Tournament's Sweet 16 in San Francisco at the Chase Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:39 p.m. ET and the game will be carried nationally on TBS.
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This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: March Madness Prediction: Florida-Maryland NCAA Tournament Sweet 16
