Arkansas is in need of its first conference win of the season after an 83-65 loss to Missouri. Georgia, on the other hand, is also trying to rebound after back-to-back losses to Tennessee and Auburn.
Previewing Georgia
Georgia’s defense is the second-best in the SEC in points allowed, limiting opponents to 65.1 points per game. Along with holding opponents to only 65 points per game, they are also No. 3 in the SEC in blocked shots per game, averaging 5.6 blocks.
“I think that they [Georgia] have really good bigs,” assistant coach Chin Coleman said. “Their freshman is outstanding. So, what makes them dangerous? I think that they have a winning attitude right now.”
Georgia is led by freshman forward Asa Newell, who records a team high in points and rebounds per game. He averages 15.3 points per game, shooting 57% from the field, 31.6% from the three-point line, and 71% from the foul line. Newell also averages 6.8 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game. Guard Silas Demary Jr. is the third-leading scorer for the Bulldogs, with 11.7 points per game, and is the leading assist man with 2.9 per game and a team-high 1.7 steals per game.
Previewing Arkansas
The Hogs will need someone to step up in this game with guard Boogie Fland’s availability in question. Fland has been the second-leading scorer on the team this season and is the team leader in assists per game. Arkansas will look to DJ Wagner, Johnell Davis, and Billy Richmond to step up if Fland cannot play in this game.
“Obviously, it’s natural for DJ [Wagner] to move into that role,” Coleman said. “He’s done it his whole life. It’s an easy fix for him to just move into that role, but committee-wise, Johnell [Davis] will have to take some of that responsibility and Billy Richmond, who has played that position some in high school.”
In the last game against Missouri, only two Hogs recorded double-digit points, Adou Thiero and Zvonimir Ivisic, who will both need another big performance against Georgia to lift the Hogs to their first SEC win of the season.
Broadcast Information
Time: 8 p.m. CST
Date: Jan 22
Location: Bud Walton Arena, Fayetteville, Ark.
TV: SEC Network