Florida basketball scouting report, prediction for the game against Arizona State in Atlanta

Florida Basketball takes on Arizona State on Saturday in Holiday Hoopsgiving in Atlanta, Georgia (3:30 p.m., SEC Network), finishing in the top 10 of both major polls for the first time since the start of the 2019-20 season.

Fighting complacency will be a key element for the No. 7 Florida Gators (9-0) as they take the floor at State Farm Arena.

“It’s so hard when everyone’s praising you, telling you all these good things and whatever, and you just feel good in your head,” Florida starting player Alijah Martin said. “You just have to fight the urge to just be perfect.”

With nine straight wins to start the season, Florida is off to its best start since the start of the 2005-06 season, 17-0, the year UF won its first national basketball title in school history.

“Obviously it’s a great honor and kind of part of the process that we want to complete to become one of the top programs in the country,” Florida basketball coach Todd Golden said. “Obviously we’ve had a good start and are slowly making progress. There’s some recognition for that at the national level.”

Arizona State (8-1), under 10th-year coach Bobby Hurley, could be one of the biggest obstacles to UF finishing non-conference play undefeated. The Sun Devils have won six straight since an 88-80 loss to No. 9 Gonzaga on Nov. 10. Jayden Quaintance, the 6-foot-3 freshman, has added toughness to ASU’s front line, averaging 7.8 points, 8.0 rebounds and 3.6 blocks.

“They’re probably really six or seven deep, but all of these guys are really tough,” Golden said. “It will be a good challenge for us. I think the best team we have played against so far. We have to play well to beat them.”

Here are three storylines to watch in the Florida-Arizona State game:

How will Florida basketball handle a 10-day break between games?

Florida last played against Virginia on Dec. 4 and overcame an early nine-point deficit to pull away from the Cavaliers 87-69. The time off has given Florida’s players some time to recover from nagging injuries and study for finals week exams.

“Those first nine games felt like they came one after the other,” Golden said. “Of course we are in good health, but I felt like we were getting a little tired. At the end of the semester, with final exams, the first few games are really tough, you can get a little exhausted.” “We did a good job giving the boys a break last weekend to make sure all their books and final exams lined up.”

Florida practiced hard on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday and held a lighter practice on Friday to prepare for Saturday’s game. Martin said he was eager to get back on the field against another team after the 10-day break.

“Realistically, we might be a little slow and a little out of rhythm because we haven’t played in a while,” Martin said. “But we practice and work on what we need to train.” In practice it continues, but 10 days without tires is a long time.”

How well can Florida basketball defend the 3-point line against a sharp-shooting ASU team?

Arizona State is shooting 39.5% from 3-point range this season while averaging 9.7 3-pointers per game. The top perimeter threats for ASU include freshman guard Joson Sanson (25-46, 54.3%), senior guard Adam Miller (16-35, 45.7%) and senior guard Alston Mason (13-31, 41.9%).

“All three of those guys were elite shooters,” Golden said. “Amier Ali comes off the bench and is a good 4-point shot. So yeah, I’ll be really upset if they make a lot of 3s.”

Can Florida basketball continue its balanced approach on offense?

Four of Florida’s five starters average double figures, led by senior point guard Walter Clayton Jr.’s 18.4 points per game. Martin is UF’s second-leading scorer at 15.2 points per game, including a 32-point outburst against Southern Illinois.

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