The Georgia Bulldogs (8-4) travel to Knoxville to take on the No. 3 Tennessee Volunteers (11-1) to kick off SEC play.
The Vols have proven to be one of the most complete teams in the country as they are led by the top two scorers in the SEC, junior forward Grant Williams who is averaging 20.1 points per game and senior guard Admiral Schofield who is averaging 18.2 points per game.
Williams listed at 6-7, 230 pounds and Schofield 6-6, 240 pounds are two pieces that make up their big and physical team that gives its opponents fits with their length. Both players received All-SEC honors last season and are in great position to both make the First Team entering league play.
Tennessee’s one-two punch in Williams and Schofield are not only efficient in the scoring department but they also find a way to make the players around them better. Williams is averaging 4.0 assists per game and Schofield 2.8 assists per game.
Although Tennessee has two of the best players in the league and should win this game, the Bulldogs are one of the few teams in the SEC that match up well with the Vols.
How the Bulldogs can slow down Tennessee’s one-two punch?
Georgia has the size and length in the frontcourt with Nicolas Claxton, Derek Ogbeide, and Rayshaun Hammonds to slow down this explosive Tennessee offense.
However, the only person that can stop Grant Williams is himself. Shutting down Williams is extremely difficult, but the Bulldogs held him to five points in Athens last season and fouled him out.
The Bulldogs have an opportunity to slow him if they can be physical without fouling. Williams is getting to free throw line 7.3 times per game, and the Bulldogs cannot give up that many trips in this game.
Ogbeide has faced Williams before and has the body to match up with him. Blocking shots on Williams will be difficult but the biggest key when guarding him is forcing him to take tough shots and not allow second-chance opportunities. Ogbeide has to stay strong and not allow Williams good position down low.
Hammonds and E’Torrion Wilridge will be dealt with the assignment of defending Schofield. He is one of the most versatile players in the country with his ability to knock down shots from the perimeter and put the ball on the floor and use his frame to score inside.
To stop Schofield, the key is to run him off the 3-point line and make him beat the Bulldogs off the bounce. Schofield is shooting 43.5 percent from beyond the arc and Georgia cannot allow him open looks.
Georgia has the personnel to limit these guys’ production but it is going to take a focused and disciplined defensive effort.
Keys to Victory for Georgia
Composure
Jawing back and forth between these two teams is not uncommon when the Bulldogs and Volunteers hit the hardwood. In last year’s two meetings, Georgia and Tennessee went after it with each other. Last year’s matchup in Knoxville was a bloodbath in the paint, and I expect nonetheless in this matchup.
When any team goes on the road in the SEC, the players need to be disciplined and composed regardless of how the game is going. This will be a challenge for the Bulldogs because they struggled to reign in their emotions in its road victory at Georgia Tech.
Speaking of composure, Claxton and Schofield both picked up technical fouls in last year’s meeting in Knoxville. When facing a balanced and complete team like Tennessee, Georgia cannot afford undisciplined fouls in this game.
Win the Battle of the Backcourts
There has been no player for the Bulldogs more productive against the Volunteers than junior guard Tyree Crump. In his two previous visits to Knoxville, he shot 50 percent or better from the 3-point line, made five shots from beyond the arc, and averaged 12 points per game.
In addition to his success at Thompson Boling Arena, Crump hit a dagger three-pointer in Georgia’s victory against Tennessee last season in Athens with less than two minutes to go.
If the Bulldogs want to pull off the upset, Crump is going to have to be great on both ends of the floor. Crump cannot solely be a three-point shooter, he has to be a playmaker, value the basketball, and perform equally as well on the defensive end.
In addition to needing Crump to continue his success against the Volunteers, Georgia sophomore guard Teshaun Hightower has to be productive offensively in this game. Hightower received sparse minutes in both meetings against Tennessee last year.
The 6-4 sophomore guard has to have a positive assist to turnover ratio and set up looks for his teammates. Hightower is also going to need to knock down a couple three-pointers in this game.
On the defensive end, Hightower will most likely face both 6-3 guard Jordan Bone. Bone ranks third in the SEC in assists as he is averaging 6.5 dishes per game.
With Tennessee averaging 21.2 assists per game, the Bulldogs are going to have to stop the ball movement of the Volunteers who have the best assist to turnover ratio in the country.
Hightower’s length and frame will be key especially if he grabs a few steals in this game. He needs to stay in front of his man, deny entry passes, and provide pressure on the Tennessee guards to be successful on the defensive end.
X-Factor
Georgia junior guard Jordan Harris has statistically been the Bulldogs most efficient player this season. At 6-2, Harris has been the Bulldogs’ best on-ball defenders and his length gives opposing players fits.
Harris is averaging 11 minutes per game and his offensive numbers have been great for the limited time that he has been on the floor. Harris is shooting 54.3 percent from the field and 55.6 percent from the 3-point line. Harris is averaging 4.5 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game.
He has been nursing an injury in his foot that forced him to miss the Oakland game. Harris played five minutes in Georgia’s last outing versus UMass but came in and made a nice play for the Bulldogs. He should be ready to go for this game but he is still working to get fully healthy.
Harris could make a huge impact in this game if he is given a heavy dose of minutes. His numbers are no fluke. He is a solid player and has proven to have big games at times over his career.
Wells’ Prediction
This game poses so many compelling matchups at every position on the floor. Georgia has one of the best sophomore duos in the SEC with Claxton and Hammonds. Both of those players will come up big for the Bulldogs in this game.
The battle in the frontcourt between both teams will be fairly similar in production and although the best players in this game reside down low, the difference makers will be in the backcourt.
Georgia currently is averaging more turnovers than assists right now, and it is difficult to pick a huge underdog to win on the road against an elite team with turnover problems.
However, this is going to be a game where Tennessee underestimates its opponent.
The Bulldogs seem to finally be putting it together on both ends on the floor, and they are hungry for their first big win under Tom Crean.
I am going to predict an upset in Knoxville behind Tyree Crump’s career day.
Prediction: Georgia 78, Tennessee 77