UGA MBB
“The numbers bode well for Georgia when looking at basic and advanced metrics across their non-conference opponents. The Bulldogs currently rank in the Top 50 for, per Basketball Reference:
PPG: 82.6 (50th of 364)
OPP PPG: 64.2 (32nd of 364)
SRS: 16.75 (40th of 364)
ORtg: 118.4 (33rd of 364)
DRtg: 91.9 (21st of 364)
Albeit, their Strength of Schedule comes out at a meager -1.71, ranking 227th of 364 programs in Basketball Reference’s database for the 2024-25 season. They face a gauntlet in the upcoming couple of months and by season's end, their SOS will be more reflective of their preseason ranking at 71st of 364.
The Bulldogs have been playing incredibly synchronized ball, emphasizing fulfilling roles over individual prowess. They’ll find their greatest challenges from outside the 3-point line. While Leffew & Montgomery have shown promise for some consistency from deep in spurts, the Dawgs will have to look for their starters Demary Jr., Cain & Lawerence to find comfortability shooting–and scoring–efficiently from outside.
Georgia’s push toward lengthy, swiss-army knife guards knowingly would come with a handicap when it came to stretching the floor. As a team, they’re shooting 21.5 threes a game, sinking 7.7 of them at 36%. This mark sits them at 248th in attempts in CBB, but their 3pt% falls at a more impressive 99th.
Some of their shooting concerns were written off with the incoming stretch-four capability that Newell is capable of. Although, 13 games in the soon-to-be one-and-done prospect is only getting up 2.0 attempts per game, shooting 27%. You can bet that their SEC opponents will be attempting to force Georgia to beat them from deep in their impending clashes.
Georgia’s Growth and SEC Challenges
What I see as the glaring distinction from this year’s Georgia squad as compared to previous years is their ability to make the correct play and decision at the most opportune times within the ballgame.
A lot of this stems from the veteran presence and proven winnability from their transfers and foundational pieces of their returning guard room. However, it can’t be understated the impact Asa, and to a lesser extent, Somto, is making for the Bulldogs on a nightly basis.
Newell’s game is among the most mature and league-ready of his freshman peers. His ability to get an open look inside the basket is unparalleled this college basketball season. That combined with Cyril’s lob-threat ability opening up so much of the floor for the Bulldogs is a big reason they rank 12th in field goal percentage at 51%.
Coach White prides his offensive game plan on being able to slow his initators down, and allow their frontcourt to screen and post in the beneficial spots while whittling the shot clock down to its final seconds to ensure the best look is secured for their scorers. As we know, the biggest moments of the ballgame–and season–are predicated on winning these do-or-die plays. This is something that is a clear distinction from the Georgia squad last year and will be the primary catalyst for their tournament bid if and when it comes to pass.
Additionally, this year’s Georgia roster is constructed much more sustainably as opposed to teams that live and die by the three-ball. That’s not to say a high-volume SEC team like Alabama, Florida or Auburn can’t shoot them out of the gym on any given night. But instead of having to rely on having a good night from downtown, Georgia’s defensive presence will be a throughline against these tough SEC matchups.
Additionally, the pressure Cyril & Newell can put on opposing defenses by clogging the paint truly is something you can’t fully understand until you watch a Georgia game in its entirety. Seeing their impact on the court–and lack thereof when they’re subbed out–is a huge factor in Georgia recording 6.0 BPG, ranking 5th in the nation.
As Georgia kicks off their SEC campaign today versus an impressive 11-2 Ole Miss team, we will see their first true test under fire. Pay attention to how Georgia gameplans to their strengths and attempts to hide their weaknesses. If everything goes accordingly, the Bulldogs will be in a nip-and-tuck affair that’s anybody's game at the wire. That’s where Georgia’s improved decision-making, elite defense and good shot selection will either shine bright or reveal itself as a non-conference mirage all along.”
greenlightmedia.substack.com
Next Opponent: Mississippi
PPG
UGA 50
MIS 71
FG%
UGA 11
MIS 166
FT%
UGA 184
MIS 111
3P%
UGA 99
MIS 114
REB
UGA 42
MIS 248
A
UGA 83
MIS 63
TO
UGA 293
MIS 4
A/TO
UGA 171
MIS 6
BS
UGA 5
MIS 35
KEN POM
32 Mississippi
47 UGA
BART
33 UGA
37 Mississippi
EVAN
25 Mississippi
42 UGA
Georgia
203 Leffew
209 Newell
239 Cyril
247 Demary Jr
263 Lawrence
480 Godfrey
488 Abson
495 James
610 Cain
654 Montgomery (New)
Mississippi
87 Pedulla
170 Brakefield
235 Murrell
237 Brown-Jones
272 Davis
373 Murray
433 Klafke
588 Dia
723 Barnes
UGA Sports: Bulldogs open SEC play at Ole Miss
https://uga.rivals.com/news/bulldogs-open-sec-play-at-ole-miss
AJC: Georgia basketball putting historic start on the line in SEC opener at Ole Miss
https://www.ajc.com/sports/georgia-...pener-at-ole-miss/K4SALSIXAFHHLCI3MYOPH3ZGI4/
“The numbers bode well for Georgia when looking at basic and advanced metrics across their non-conference opponents. The Bulldogs currently rank in the Top 50 for, per Basketball Reference:
PPG: 82.6 (50th of 364)
OPP PPG: 64.2 (32nd of 364)
SRS: 16.75 (40th of 364)
ORtg: 118.4 (33rd of 364)
DRtg: 91.9 (21st of 364)
Albeit, their Strength of Schedule comes out at a meager -1.71, ranking 227th of 364 programs in Basketball Reference’s database for the 2024-25 season. They face a gauntlet in the upcoming couple of months and by season's end, their SOS will be more reflective of their preseason ranking at 71st of 364.
The Bulldogs have been playing incredibly synchronized ball, emphasizing fulfilling roles over individual prowess. They’ll find their greatest challenges from outside the 3-point line. While Leffew & Montgomery have shown promise for some consistency from deep in spurts, the Dawgs will have to look for their starters Demary Jr., Cain & Lawerence to find comfortability shooting–and scoring–efficiently from outside.
Georgia’s push toward lengthy, swiss-army knife guards knowingly would come with a handicap when it came to stretching the floor. As a team, they’re shooting 21.5 threes a game, sinking 7.7 of them at 36%. This mark sits them at 248th in attempts in CBB, but their 3pt% falls at a more impressive 99th.
Some of their shooting concerns were written off with the incoming stretch-four capability that Newell is capable of. Although, 13 games in the soon-to-be one-and-done prospect is only getting up 2.0 attempts per game, shooting 27%. You can bet that their SEC opponents will be attempting to force Georgia to beat them from deep in their impending clashes.
Georgia’s Growth and SEC Challenges
What I see as the glaring distinction from this year’s Georgia squad as compared to previous years is their ability to make the correct play and decision at the most opportune times within the ballgame.
A lot of this stems from the veteran presence and proven winnability from their transfers and foundational pieces of their returning guard room. However, it can’t be understated the impact Asa, and to a lesser extent, Somto, is making for the Bulldogs on a nightly basis.
Newell’s game is among the most mature and league-ready of his freshman peers. His ability to get an open look inside the basket is unparalleled this college basketball season. That combined with Cyril’s lob-threat ability opening up so much of the floor for the Bulldogs is a big reason they rank 12th in field goal percentage at 51%.
Coach White prides his offensive game plan on being able to slow his initators down, and allow their frontcourt to screen and post in the beneficial spots while whittling the shot clock down to its final seconds to ensure the best look is secured for their scorers. As we know, the biggest moments of the ballgame–and season–are predicated on winning these do-or-die plays. This is something that is a clear distinction from the Georgia squad last year and will be the primary catalyst for their tournament bid if and when it comes to pass.
Additionally, this year’s Georgia roster is constructed much more sustainably as opposed to teams that live and die by the three-ball. That’s not to say a high-volume SEC team like Alabama, Florida or Auburn can’t shoot them out of the gym on any given night. But instead of having to rely on having a good night from downtown, Georgia’s defensive presence will be a throughline against these tough SEC matchups.
Additionally, the pressure Cyril & Newell can put on opposing defenses by clogging the paint truly is something you can’t fully understand until you watch a Georgia game in its entirety. Seeing their impact on the court–and lack thereof when they’re subbed out–is a huge factor in Georgia recording 6.0 BPG, ranking 5th in the nation.
As Georgia kicks off their SEC campaign today versus an impressive 11-2 Ole Miss team, we will see their first true test under fire. Pay attention to how Georgia gameplans to their strengths and attempts to hide their weaknesses. If everything goes accordingly, the Bulldogs will be in a nip-and-tuck affair that’s anybody's game at the wire. That’s where Georgia’s improved decision-making, elite defense and good shot selection will either shine bright or reveal itself as a non-conference mirage all along.”
Georgia's Best Start in Program History: Midseason Evaluation
Georgia’s 12-1 record marks their best start in 94 years, but can it hold up against the SEC’s best?
greenlightmedia.substack.com
Next Opponent: Mississippi
PPG
UGA 50
MIS 71
FG%
UGA 11
MIS 166
FT%
UGA 184
MIS 111
3P%
UGA 99
MIS 114
REB
UGA 42
MIS 248
A
UGA 83
MIS 63
TO
UGA 293
MIS 4
A/TO
UGA 171
MIS 6
BS
UGA 5
MIS 35
KEN POM
32 Mississippi
47 UGA
BART
33 UGA
37 Mississippi
EVAN
25 Mississippi
42 UGA
Georgia
203 Leffew
209 Newell
239 Cyril
247 Demary Jr
263 Lawrence
480 Godfrey
488 Abson
495 James
610 Cain
654 Montgomery (New)
Mississippi
87 Pedulla
170 Brakefield
235 Murrell
237 Brown-Jones
272 Davis
373 Murray
433 Klafke
588 Dia
723 Barnes
UGA Sports: Bulldogs open SEC play at Ole Miss
https://uga.rivals.com/news/bulldogs-open-sec-play-at-ole-miss
AJC: Georgia basketball putting historic start on the line in SEC opener at Ole Miss
https://www.ajc.com/sports/georgia-...pener-at-ole-miss/K4SALSIXAFHHLCI3MYOPH3ZGI4/
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