With both teams looking to snap two-game skids, the Georgia Bulldogs (9-7, 1-3) and Florida Gators (9-7, 1-3) meet up in Athens on Saturday afternoon.
In its last two outings, the Bulldogs suffered double-digit losses to Auburn and Kentucky.
On the other side, Florida was in a position to knock off Tennessee and Mississippi State but did not make enough plays down the stretch to pull off either victory.
The Bulldogs and Gators enter this game desperately needing a victory but for different reasons.
The majority of the Georgia supporters expected this season to be a rebuilding year and are understandable that the team is going to have its struggles.
However, with Tom Crean trying to build excitement among the Georgia fan base and pushing to sell out Stegeman Coliseum for all SEC games, he needs to knock off a team like Florida to keep positive energy and optimism among the fans.
For Florida, the Gators need a win to turn their season around. With a record of 9-7, they are failing to meet preseason expectations.
Although it has been a rough start, they still have a great mix of experience and young talent to make the NCAA Tournament but cannot afford much more slippage.
A victory against the Bulldogs on Saturday would be a step in the right direction.
To preview this matchup, Gator guru Jason Kessler joined me. He has been following the UF basketball team for a decade and a half. You can follow him on Twitter (@JasonKessler16), where he shares his insight on Florida basketball.
What are your thoughts on Tom Crean’s first year at the helm for the Bulldogs? How high can Crean elevate the UGA basketball program?
JK: As a new head coach, one of your main goals is to try and get your players to play through their eyes. Crean coaches each game with a purpose from an energy and effort standpoint. There is always a chip on his shoulder and that is what he’s instilled in this Georgia team.
There have been growing pains, but Georgia is slowly developing into a vintage Crean team stylistically and intangibly. Georgia is playing at a much faster pace than they ever played under Mark Fox and there has been a balanced attack offensively.
Defensively, Georgia has done a solid job utilizing their length to cause havoc in passing lanes and have taken pride in protecting the rim and the glass.
Crean will continue to not only show great energy on the court, but on the recruiting trail as well. The state of Georgia is always loaded with talented and if he can continue to identify and bring in players that fit Georgia basketball through his eyes, he will have a chance to develop an NCAA Tournament level team in the near future.
What are your impressions of the Gators’ season thus far?
JK: There have been times this season where Florida has shown spurts of greatness and there have been times where the Gators have shown that they are at best an average team.
Florida was able to play the likes of Michigan State and Tennessee tight down to the wire. However, they were blown out at rival Florida State to kick off the season and lost to South Carolina at home in the SEC opener.
Florida’s stifling defense has allowed them to stay in most games, but offensively the team is still trying to find its footing.
Talk about the Gators freshmen class and what has allowed them to make an immediate impact at UF. How do you think those guys can change the complexion of this game?
JK: Florida’s freshmen class certainly is a talented one.
Since the first game of the season, Andrew Nembhard has held down the starting point guard role and has great chemistry with his teammates in the pick and roll game.
Noah Locke entered the starting lineup for the Gators in the Battle 4 Atlantis and he has not left his role since due to the perplexing downfall of senior guard Jalen Hudson. Locke’s quick release and silky smooth jump shot from behind the arc has allowed him to string made shots.
Then you have Keyontae Johnson, who without a doubt is the bounciest athlete on the team. Johnson has been the ultimate spark plug for Florida off the bench, as he’s done a great job utilizing his 41” vertical to grab offensive rebounds. He also is arguably the best finisher around the rim on the team, which should put him in position to earn more minutes moving forward on a team that is too perimeter oriented offensively.
All three of these guys have high basketball IQ’s and they have shown that they can change the impact of a possession on both sides of the ball.
Key to the game?
JK: For two teams that have really struggled to make shots from the perimeter in SEC play, the team who makes more outside shots will end up winning this game.
Your prediction?
JK: Although they lost both games, Florida put together two strong 38 minute performances in back to games against Tennessee and Mississippi State.
A large factor in these strong performances was Florida’ ability to cause turnovers utilizing their “junk zones”, which has been a curveball for Florida’s opponents.
Meanwhile, Georgia has really struggled to take care of the basketball season, as they are last in the SEC turnover margin.
In terms of my game pick, I will take the Gators in this one.
I expect Florida’s backcourt duo of KeVaughn Allen and Noah Locke to hit timely shots in a game that the Gators desperately need.
The Gators will force Georgia into enough turnovers to throw the Bulldogs offensive rhythm off.
Prediction: Florida 67, Georgia 62
Wells’ Analysis and Prediction
This game could go either way but I have a hard time taking the Bulldogs after their performance against Kentucky on Tuesday night.
The Bulldogs attempted 27 three-pointers against the Wildcats and went away from pounding it inside too early.
Florida’s different “junk zones” on the defensive end could discombobulate the Bulldogs’ offense.
To beat Florida, Georgia needs to knock down shots from the outside. Also, Georgia has to get quality production out of Derek Ogbeide, Rayshaun Hammonds, and Nicolas Claxton.
If the Bulldogs continue to settle for outside jump shots and not feed their big men, it will be hard for them to win this game.
After being swept by the Bulldogs a season ago, the Gators will get the job done on the road behind a strong defensive effort.
Prediction: Florida 61, Georgia 54