Georgia vs. Arkansas MBB Preview

The Rundown

Georgia has started 0-2 to kickoff SEC play with losses to Mississippi State and LSU. The conference schedule is not going to get any easier for the Bulldogs. That is definitely discouraging after starting the season 7-0, sweeping all of their non conference opponents.

Up next: a battle with Arkansas on Saturday at 3:30. Georgia had their hands full defensively with a high-scoring LSU team, losing the game in heartbreaking fashion after a 94-92 overtime finish. 

The problem for Georgia is that Arkansas puts up even more points than LSU does. The Razorbacks average 87.2 PPG, which is good for the best rank in the SEC. Georgia showed they can score the basketball at a high rate against LSU.

Arkansas does not have any one star. They are more of a well-rounded team that can win games in a lot of different ways. Their defense often leads to easy buckets. 

“Arkansas plays as fast and fierce as anyone in the SEC. They come at you with an attack the rim mentality and create a ton of threes because of it. This year, they are scoring more and more from their defense,” Georgia head coach Tom Crean said.

Georgia’s ability to defend the Razorbacks will be huge. It is good that Georgia can score a lot of points, but they just allowed 92 to LSU. Arkansas can easily reach a similar figure. 

“How we get back and transition and control the pressure they put on the rim will be big. Everyone can make threes so our awareness and shot challenges will be crucial. We have to keep them in front of us on the drives and keep them off the free throw line,” Crean said. 

Arkansas is also on a two-game losing streak, so they are going to be hungry to get back to the win column. This looks to be another fun SEC basketball game. 

Key Matchup

Georgia’s bigs (or lack thereof) vs. Arkansas center Connor Vanover

Vanover is a 7’3” center weighing at 247 lbs. He averages 9.3 PPG and 7.3 RPG, so he is going to be a problem for a small Georgia Bulldogs team to defend. He can shoot the ball from outside and obviously grab rebounds at a high rate. 

Georgia did have success against Cincinnati’s seven-footer, keeping Chris Vogt scoreless and holding him to five rebounds. Coach Crean is probably going back to the tape to see how they were able to slow him down in order to prepare for Vanover. 

How to Watch

The game will air on the SEC Network at 3:30 EST.

Betting Line

Arkansas -8