The Georgia Bulldogs played a very impressive game in front of their home crowd in an upset of #6 Kentucky on Tuesday night. Winning by a score of 82-69, the Bulldogs controlled the game on the boards and via the free throw line en route to their first win over a top 10 team in five years. Here are three things to know about Georgia who are now solidly in the thick of it in the brutal SEC.
Georgia are Built to Physically Compete with Anyone in the SEC
The SEC is easily the best conference in college basketball this year, defined by physical play on the boards, upperclassmen depth, and electric scoring options. Georgia satisfies all of these criteria. Now with a record of 13-2, they are a legitimate contender in the conference.
Georgia has tremendous depth, especially in the frontcourt. Where conference rivals Alabama and Florida are tops in the nation in rebounding, Georgia is right up there with them thanks to stellar positional rebounding from starting guards Blue Cain and Silas Demary Jr, energetic bench players like Somto Cyril and RJ Godfrey, and of course, star freshman Asa Newell.
THIS MAN IS A DAWG 😤 @somto_cyril pic.twitter.com/kGEK1vcBBC
— Georgia Basketball (@UGABasketball) January 8, 2025
Newell is one of the top freshman in the country, averaging 15.4 points per game and almost 7 rebounds. Newell acquitted himself extremely well against a foreboding Wildcats frontcourt, piling up 17 points on 5-9 from the field in addition to his typical 7 rebounds.
Throughout the season, Newell has been praised not only for his highlight-worthy plays, but his attention to detail and willingness to do the little things. He shows a great understanding for the game, and his high motor combined with his IQ makes him a special talent.
It may not show on the stat sheet, but Georgia freshman big Asa Newell has been terrific tonight.
Hasn’t forced anything, played tough inside, hit a few huge 3’s and just made a great pass to Silas Demary for a 3 to put Georgia back up 12 with 6:14 left.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) January 8, 2025
Newell’s confidence exemplifies Georgia’s team. After the win, Newell told the media “One thing about this team, we handle adversity extremely well.” Upsetting teams like Kentucky take a lot of character, which the entire team showed Tuesday evening.
Star Freshman Asa Newell is Joined by Multiple Perimeter Options
Georgia are an inside-out team, with Newell anchoring the middle and allowing their many options at guard to find their shots. The Bulldogs have four players outside of Newell who average over 10 points per game, including the aforementioned Demary, Mount Saint Mary’s transfers Dakota Leffew and De’Shayne Montgomery, and senior Tyrin Lawrence. Any of these guards are capable of being Georgia’s second option depending on the game.
Montgomery has only played in 4 games this year but is already showing great things. The guard is full of moxie and uses great creativity to score at all three levels. He is currently second on the team in points per game. Georgia will need him to continue his ascent moving forward.
Sophomore De’Shayne Montgomery took the Bulldog guard room to another level in his debut tonight! 🤯🔥
The Broward County native is shaping up to be a spark plug off the bench for @UGABasketball standing at 6’5” with a DEEP bag. 🎒 pic.twitter.com/raj6IMDlEQ
— GREENLIGHT MEDIA (@greenlightbball) December 20, 2024
It Was a Complete Team Win vs the Vaunted Kentucky Wildcats
It was going to be a tall task to upset Kentucky, even on their home floor. Yet Georgia showed up early and controlled the game throughout. The first half was characterized by tough baskets from Demary, timely plays from Cain, and great energy from Cyril. Georgia entered halftime with a 47-34 lead after Newell buried a buzzer-beating three-pointer from the left wing.
Kentucky battled back to 50-55 with 11 minutes to play, but Georgia was determined to hold onto their hard-earned lead. They continued to guard the three well, limiting Kentucky to just 6 makes from deep on 24% shooting, and on offense, lived at the free throw line. Georgia shot 38 free throws on the evening, making 29 of them. This was a credit to their willingness to drive and their ability to get second-chance points. Although Kentucky won the points in the paint battle, Georgia prevailed in the easy baskets category thanks to their free throws. In the end, it was a double-digit win for head coach Mike White’s squad.
HOW ‘BOUT THEM DAWGS❗️#GoDawgs | @WellsFargo pic.twitter.com/Ey4kUu8lQW
— Georgia Basketball (@UGABasketball) January 8, 2025
The relentless SEC will not give Georgia a break. They face #17 Oklahoma next, which is followed by conference-leading Tennessee.
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