Our SEC basketball non-conference schedule analysis series keeps marching along as we take a look at Georgia’s slate for the 2018-19 season.
The Tom Crean era is officially underway for the Bulldogs, and they will try to make their ascent in what could be the deepest SEC in many years.
Let’s run through Georgia’s schedule and see what opponents await on the road to conference play.
For Georgia’s entire regular season schedule, visit the team’s official website.
vs. Savannah State (Nov. 9)
2017-18 Record: 15-17
Season Outlook:
For the second-straight season, the Tigers played at the fastest pace of any team in college basketball.
Horace Broadnax’s squad had an average possession length of 12.5 seconds (slightly down from the 12.1 seconds the year before) and trailed only Villanova nationally in scoring offense (86.1 ppg). However, this will be an interesting season for Broadnax and his staff, as Savannah State will move back to the Division II level next year.
All five starters must be replaced, but the up-tempo style itself will make the team entertaining to watch.
at Temple (Nov. 13)
2017-18 Record: 17-16
Season Outlook:
Speaking of transition, Temple basketball will be facing one of its own after this season as Fran Dunphy will enter retirement.
But before gives way to successor Aaron McKie, Dunphy will have a shot at getting to the NCAA Tournament one last time.
Quinton Rose (14.9 ppg, 4.3 rpg) and Shizz Alston Jr. (13.3 ppg, 39.7 percent 3PT) will lead the way once again, and if the Owls can be a bit more efficient offensively, they can make noise in a pretty wide open AAC.
vs. Sam Houston State (Nov. 16)
2017-18 Record: 21-15
Season Outlook:
Jason Hooten adds a talented group of JUCO players to this year’s roster with the hope of capturing a third-straight season with 20-plus wins.
The Bearkats lost games at Ole Miss and LSU last year, so they’re no stranger to playing in SEC environments.
Hooten will need players like Marcus Harris (9.4 ppg, 24.9 mpg) and Josh Delaney (8.1 ppg, 40.5 percent 3PT) to expand their roles even further in order to compete for a Southland title.
vs. Illinois State (Nov. 19, Cayman Islands Classic)
2017-18 Record: 18-15
Season Outlook:
With the team’s three top scorers back in the fold, Dan Muller has a great shot at finally getting back to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1998.
Milik Yarbrough (16.6 ppg, 6.8 rpg), Phil Fayne (15.6 ppg, 7.4 rpg), and Keyshawn Evans (15.2 ppg, 41.9 percent 3PT) should once again create matchup nightmares for opponents.
If the Redbirds can improve their shooting percentages across the board, they’ll be tough to handle.
vs. Akron or Clemson (Nov. 20, Cayman Islands Classic)
2017-18 Record: Akron 14-18, Clemson 25-10
Season Outlook:
Akron will rely on JUCO transfers and players who sat out last season to move the John Groce era forward, and the program is likely still a few steps away from being where it wants to be.
Meanwhile, Clemson comes into the season ranked No. 22 in the country after a Sweet 16 appearance, and the Tigers could be right back there again with Marcquise Reed (15.8 ppg, 4.7 rpg), Shelton Mitchell (14.2 ppg, 3.6 apg), and Elijah Thomas (10.7 ppg, 8.1 rpg) all back.
vs. St. Bonaventure/Georgia State/Boise State/Creighton (Nov. 21, Cayman Islands Classic)
2017-18 Record: St. Bonaventure 26-8, Georgia State 24-11, Boise State 23-9, Creighton 21-12
Season Outlook:
St. Bonaventure will have trouble matching the 26 wins from a year ago due to the graduation of dynamic guard duo Jaylen Adams and Matt Mobley.
Georgia State gets four starters back from an NCAA Tournament team, including do-it-all guard D’Marcus Simonds (21.2 ppg, 5.7 rpg).
Boise State has to replace a first-round NBA draft pick in Chandler Hutchison, and all eyes will be on Justinian Jessup (11.7 ppg, 45.7 percent 3PT) as he looks to expand his game even further.
Creighton may lack experience with this year’s roster, but it wouldn’t be wise to underestimate Greg McDermott’s squad.
vs. Kennesaw State (Nov. 27)
2017-18 Record: 10-20
Season Outlook:
There are several unknowns for Al Skinner entering his fourth season with the Owls, and those questions will need to be solved quickly to stay competitive in an increasingly challenging Atlantic Sun Conference.
Tyler Hooker (10.8 ppg, 26.1 mpg) is the team’s top returner, and a few areas of focus for Skinner and his staff will likely be rebounding better and not allowing teams to shoot such a high percentage from inside the arc (55.7 percent 2PT defense, 343rd nationally).
vs. Texas Southern (Dec. 3)
2017-18 Record: 16-20
Season Outlook:
A familiar face will be roaming the sidelines for the Tigers this season, as former LSU head coach Johnny Jones takes over for Mike Davis.
Jones will have to endure the always brutal Texas Southern non-conference schedule that also includes trips to Gonzaga, Iowa State, Oregon, and Arizona State, but that will certainly get the team prepared for SWAC play.
LSU transfers Jalyn Patterson and Jeremy Combs should both play a role right away.
vs. Arizona State (Dec. 15)
2017-18 Record: 20-12
Season Outlook:
This won’t be Bobby Hurley’s most experienced team in terms of age, but it could be among his most talented from top to bottom.
Even with the loss of guard trio Tra Holder, Shannon Evans, and Kodi Justice, there’s plenty of options across the board for a team that will welcome the nation’s No. 11 recruiting class.
vs. Oakland (Dec. 18)
2017-18 Record: 19-14
Season Outlook:
Greg Kampe adds several newcomers to the mix, and they’ll need to contribute quickly since Oakland will have to replace nearly its entire starting lineup that consisted of three players who averaged at least 17.6 points per game.
In total, the team’s top four scorers are gone, and Brailen Neely is the top returning scorer at 5.4 points per contest.
at Georgia Tech (Dec. 22)
2017-18 Record: 13-19
Season Outlook:
It’ll likely be another rebuilding year for Josh Pastner and company, as Josh Okogie and two other double-digit scorers exit from last year’s team.
The Yellow Jackets simply did not shoot the ball well last season in finishing 238rd nationally in field-goal percentage and were even worse from 3-point land at 325th nationally.
vs. UMass (Dec. 30)
2017-18 Record: 13-20
Season Outlook:
Matt McCall’s first season in Amherst was a struggle, but an experienced roster suggests there’s reason for optimism in year two.
It also helps that Luwane Pipkins returns after breaking through for 21.2 points per game and knocking down 107 3-pointers last season.
The Minutemen won just one regular season game away from home in ’17-18, so that’ll need to improve to climb up the Atlantic 10 standings.
Overall Schedule Analysis
Georgia’s non-conference schedule features a nice blend of challenging opponents and rebuilding programs.
Building confidence will be important for Crean his staff early on as the Bulldogs try to become more consistent in all facets of the game.
Conference play will be an absolute grind this season, so it’s essential that Georgia build some momentum prior to the new year.
For more SEC basketball coverage, follow me on Twitter @theblakelovell.