The Georgia Bulldogs hit it large throughout non-conference play by turning into solely the fourth group in program historical past to achieve double-digit wins earlier than the New 12 months. Now, the Bulldogs are turning their consideration to SEC play, beginning with a challenger who appears to be like poised to as soon as once more be a convention contender.
Georgia (10-3, 0-0 SEC) returns house at 6:30 PM ET tonight to host No. 22 Auburn (11-2, 1-0 SEC) in a sport televised on the SEC Community. The Bulldogs enter the sport after defeating the Ryder 78-72 on Wednesday; In the meantime, the Tigers opened SEC play by defeating Florida 61-58 that very same evening.
Georgia coach Mike White He stated that there’s pleasure among the many gamers in terms of convention play and that gamers come to Athens for the prospect to problem the perfect of the perfect. White stated the message to his gamers because the SEC sport will get underway is easy: Have the benefit and be able to roll.
“It’s a must to reply to adversity on and off the sphere, particularly within the sport as a result of there will likely be a lot adversity,” White stated Tuesday. “There’s going to be quite a lot of adversity tomorrow evening in several methods; offensively, defensively, foul downside, name, turnover, what have you ever. Run by the opposing group. I believe we’re rising on that discipline. I believe general we’re actually excited.”
The Bulldogs will host the Tigers on Wednesday evening for the primary of two conferences between the rivals, with the opposite coming in Auburn on February 1st. Georgia is hoping to play Auburn prefer it did final February, when the Bulldogs pushed after which not. 1 Tigers on edge forward of Auburn level guard Wendell Inexperienced Jr He hit a late kick to depart Georgia with a 74-72 loss at house.
Georgia’s roster has undergone main adjustments since that sport, however the returning gamers like to play Praline Bridges I’ve not forgotten the sting of that defeat.
“Which [loss] It undoubtedly left a nasty style in my mouth. “I imply, it may have helped our season final yr,” stated Bridges, who averages 7.6 factors and 4.3 rebounds per sport. “We’ll attempt to get him again tomorrow evening.”
The Bulldogs had been badly beating the Tigers 11 months in the past, however this Georgia group appears to be like lots higher than the final Auburn group squared off.
White praised this yr’s group for the best way it discovered an offensive id over the course of non-team play and the way sure areas akin to ball safety and decision-making confirmed tangible progress. White emphasised that there was nonetheless quite a lot of work to do and pointed to persevering with to bounce nicely defensively – a notable energy within the win over Ryder – as one thing that ought to occur extra typically.
The Bulldogs’ win over the Broncos wasn’t essentially the most spectacular for a group on the non-conference record, however there have been loads of positives. Arguably the strongest a part of the win was the striker’s efficiency Jabri Abdel Rahimwho scored 15 factors on 5 of 8 capturing from 3-point vary.
“He performs with energy. His depth degree has improved for the reason that first day of coaching,” White stated of Abdul Rahim. “He is a greater defender, he is a greater participant. I believe he is received the ‘I am going to let the coach play with me’ mentality during the last couple of months and that high quality that he brings to coaching each day has made him an enormous enchancment.”
“He is received a superb stroke, he can actually shoot it and he is growing different elements of his sport as nicely, however that is the place he is improved essentially the most – he performs arduous. He mixes it up defensively and on the glass.”
Abdurrahim will little question be relied upon amongst various Bulldogs after they go on trial towards the Tigers.
White credited groups led by Bruce Pearl for enjoying arduous, being bums and annoying, and this yr’s Auburn lineup isn’t any totally different. He credited this yr’s group for being sturdy, deep, and athletic with an ideal beginning lineup that included a 6-foot-10. Johnny Broom, 6-foot-8 Jaylen Williams and 6-foot-6 Chris Moore. White referred to as Auburn an “elite defensive group,” and harassed the necessity for the Georgia guards to seem able to compete.
As for the Georgia gamers, Georgia is a guard Mardreese McBride He credited Auburn for being such a superb defensive sort out and stated the Bulldogs need to match his depth with a purpose to have an opportunity. In the meantime, Bridges stated Auburn is a troublesome group, and the bodily energy will likely be formidable at Georgia.
The Bulldogs put collectively some nice performances in November and December, and Bridges believes these experiences helped the group come collectively and really feel like household. Bridges stated he has informed colleagues there aren’t any nights off on the convention, and tonight the group hopes to show that they shouldn’t be missed.
“I am actually excited,” Bridges stated of the SEC play’s initiation. “I really feel like we’ll inform lots of people.”