The Georgia Bulldogs finished the regular season at 16-14 (7-11) and may need a deep run in the SEC Tournament to save head coach Mark Fox’s job.
The 12-seeded Bulldogs will face the 13-seed Vanderbilt on Wednesday in the opening night of the tournament.
Georgia and Vanderbilt only met once during the regular season, with the Commodores cruising to an 81-66 victory behind the solid play of guards Riley LaChance and Saben Lee.
After losing five-star commit Ashton Hagans, and blowing late leads to Texas A&M and Tennessee last week, the Bulldogs don’t have much momentum heading into St. Louis.
However, the Bulldogs will need to rally behind Yante Maten to try to string together some wins to keep their season alive.
Keys to victory for Georgia
Close out on the 3-point line
When Georgia and Vanderbilt met at Memorial Gym in early February, the Commodores got hot from from beyond the arc.
The Bulldogs left Payton Willis and Saben Lee open on numerous occasions, and those two were a combined 6 of 12 from the 3-point line.
If Georgia wants to advance to Thursday, it’ll need to close out and not allow space for too many open shots for the Vanderbilt guards.
The Bulldogs are more likely to get beat by allowing uncontested perimeter shots than open mid-range jumpers.
Feed the big men
Yante Maten and Derek Ogbeide combined for 36 points against the Commodores in the first meeting, and that type of production would provide a big advantage in this one.
The Bulldogs not only have a more skilled and proven frontcourt than Vanderbilt, but they also have a huge size advantage. Georgia will need to use that size on both sides of the court.
Nothing will come easy for Georgia, but if Maten and Ogbeide can take advantage of the size matchups in this game, then the Bulldogs will have a great chance at knocking off the Commodores.
Keys to victory for Vanderbilt
Pressure the UGA guards
Georgia’s Achilles heel this season has been its guard play.
Turtle Jackson has had an up and down year with his inability to create plays, take good shots consistently, and limit turnovers.
Vanderbilt has a significant advantage in the battle of the backcourts and if the Commodores can exploit Jackson, along with Tyree Crump and Teshaun Hightower, then Georgia won’t stand much of a chance.
Putting on-ball pressure should speed up the Bulldogs and get them out of rhythm.
Win the battle of the free throw line
Vanderbilt has struggled at times where it has gotten complacent with jumpers instead of attacking the rim.
However, this was not the case in early February when the Commodores hit all 16 of their free-throw attempts in the win over Georgia, who went just 12 of 19 from the line in that game.
Vanderbilt guards Joe Toye and Saben Lee will need to maintain their aggressiveness towards the basket in this game to either score or keep Georgia honest and open up the 3-point line.
Wells’ Prediction
For an SEC Tournament opening night game, this has the potential to be one of the better games of the week.
Maten, who earned AP SEC Player of the Year honors on Tuesday, will battle it out with Roberson, who is an All-SEC Second Team selection. That should make for an entertaining matchup with the two of the most consistent players in the league going at each other.
As for a prediction? Maten will have a big first half and give the Bulldogs the lead at the break, while Lee will have a 20+ point game and keep the Commodores in this one despite Riley LaChance having an off night.
Despite Lee’s valiant effort, Tyree Crump will hit a dagger three late and send the Bulldogs to the second round.
Prediction: Georgia 75, Vanderbilt 68