The Florida Gators Have A Huge Road Test At #3 Alabama

The Florida Gators Have A Huge Road Test At #3 Alabama.  The Gators have a big SEC matchup this evening in Tuscaloosa.

The Gators recently defeated the No. 2 ranked Tennessee team in a 67-54 upset victory. However, their hopes of participating in the March Madness tournament were hurt after losing 72-67 to Kentucky in their most recent game.

The loss was a wire-to-wire defeat, meaning Kentucky led from start to finish. It dropped Florida to 2-8 in Quadrant I matches in the NCAA Evaluation Tool (NET) category, which is used to evaluate the strength of a team's schedule.

The loss also extended their losing streak against Kentucky to 11-54 in games played in Lexington. As a result of the loss, the team is now in 6th place in the SEC standings.

Colin Castleton had a strong performance for the Gators scoring 25 points, grabbing 8 rebounds, making 5 assists, and blocking 3 shots.  In contrast, Kentucky's big man Oscar Tshiebwe, who was the 2022 SEC and NCAA Player of the Year, had a season-low performance, scoring only 4 points and grabbing 15 rebounds before fouling out of the game.

Castleton said the Gators are 3-4 in away games and have to be more focused when they hit the road.

After a 93-69 loss to Oklahoma, Alabama has won two games, one against Vanderbilt (101-44) and another against LSU (79-69).

In the win against LSU, five players from Alabama scored in double figures. Noah Clowney and Rylan Griffen led the team with 14 points each, while Brandon Miller added 11 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 assists. Nimari Burnett had 13 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists.

Alabama has a perfect home record of 11-0. Additionally, the team leads the SEC in rebounding, with an average of 41.3 rebounds per game.  Alabama has won the previous two encounters.  Florida has a record of 1-4 in close games that have been decided by a margin of 3 points or less.

More on this game later today on Shemon and Sheppard 2-6pm.

Super Bowl Sunday is one of the biggest sporting events of the year and a great excuse for a party. So, if you're hosting a Super Bowl gathering, you need Super Bowl Super Snacks.  Later, we will compile a comprehensive list of foods for your party.  But first, let's warm up with some of the basics to consider:

Wings: Wings are a staple at any Super Bowl party. You can opt for classic Buffalo wings, or get creative with different flavors like BBQ, honey mustard, or teriyaki.
Pizza: Pizza is another crowd-pleaser that's perfect for a Super Bowl party. And, you can order in from a local pizzeria or make your own using store-bought or homemade dough and your favorite toppings.
Chips and dips: Chips and dips are an easy and always-popular snack. Offer a variety of dips, such as guacamole, salsa, and queso, along with an assortment of chips for dipping.
Sliders: Sliders are bite-sized burgers that are perfect for snacking and easy to make in bulk. Try classic cheeseburgers or switch things up with pulled pork or grilled chicken sliders.
Deviled eggs: Deviled eggs are a classic party food that are easy to make and always a hit. Plus, you can add your own twist by using different seasonings or mixing in ingredients like bacon or smoked salmon.
Veggie platter: Don't forget about your vegetarian friends! A veggie platter with carrots, celery, cherry tomatoes, and your favorite dips is a healthy and tasty option for everyone.
Brownies and cookies: For dessert, whip up a batch of brownies or cookies. These sweet treats are a great way to end the meal and offer a sugar boost for the big game.

These are just a few of the many delicious options for your Super Bowl party. No matter what you serve, the most important thing is to have fun and enjoy the game with your friends and family.

So, keep reading for a complete list of Super Bowl Super Snacks :

-Craig Shemon

ESPN Southwest Florida

One of my favorites. Traditional Wings require some work. Boneless Wings allow you to down a higher volume in less time.

Mini Burgers make you feel like you're eating fewer calories...because they are small.

The meatier and cheesier the better. The key here is to have a quality chip strong enough to handle the weight.

Can't go wrong popping a half dozen of these babies for a warm up.

Pizza is King in any situation.

Good side staple but don't fill up too much with these.

Taco Tuesday or Super Sunday... Tacos are the best.

This is my go-to with a beer at stadiums. Why not enjoy at home in front of the TV?

I'm liking spicy foods more as I age. Strange huh?

More of a holiday side food.

I'm not a big onion ring guy but I see why so many like them.

Love a good dip!

Speaking of dips...this one's just a bit hotter.

I could eat a good quesadilla any day of the year.

A perfect topping to any chip!

Also, a perfect topping to any chip. Mild, Medium, or Hot?

Stack the cold cuts and cheeses!

Some dips are great on tortilla chips. But French Onion Dip MUST go with a Ruffles potato chip.

Hummas is great. Also, it forces you to eat veggies instead of other "junk."

The key here is bacon bits!

Just a fancier, fatter French fry.

I. LOVE. THESE!!!

Can't get too much cheese on Super Bowl Sunday.

I like my chili meatier. Some like it soupy.

This could be the main event on its own. Multiple flavors are acceptable.

I'd prefer a shrimp cocktail with sauce.

It's just small toast.

It makes the list just to add variety.

Hearty and solid. Good solo or in a sub sandwich.

Fancy. If you are gong to eat sushi at a party, get to it early. You don't want to eat sushi that's been out all day.