Bulldogs Back In Stegeman To Host South Carolina

Georgia Basketball Game Notes

Georgia (13-7, 3-4 SEC) vs. South Carolina (8-12, 1-6 SEC)
Saturday, January 28, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. ET
Stegeman Coliseum (10,523) in Athens, Ga
Radio: Georgia Bulldog Sports Network (Flagship: WSB AM 750); (Scott Howard, pbp; Chuck Dowdle, analyst; Adam Gillespie (producer)) | Affiliates
TV: SEC Network (Dave Neal, pbp; Joe Kleine, analyst)
Video Stream: SECN+
Audio Stream: georgiadogs.com
Satellite: SiriusXM: 85 of 191; SXM App: 962
History: S.C. leads, 62-58 (Full History)
Last Meeting: S.C., 80-68, on Feb. 12, 2022

No.	Name	PPG	RPG

Georgia Bulldogs
Coach: Mike White
13-6 in 1st at UGA
256-134 in 12th season overall
0	Terry Roberts	15.6	4.2
(6-3; 180; Sr.; North Amityville, N.Y)
3	Kario Oquendo	12.9	3.2
(6-4; 220; Jr.; Titusville, Fla.)
5	Frank Anselem	2.9	3.6
(6-10; 215; Jr.; Lagos, Nigeria)
11	Justin Hill	6.9	3.0
(6-0; 185; Jr.; Houston, Texas)
12	Matthew-Alexander Moncrieffe	6.8	5.5
(6-8; 215; Jr.; Toronto, Ontario)

No.	Name	PPG	RPG

SOUTH CAROLINA GAMECOCKS
Coach: Lamont Paris
8-12 in 1st season aty USC
95-84 in 6th season overall
1	Jacobi Wright	5.2	2.3
(6-2; 188; Soph.; Fort Mill, S.C.)
2	Chico Carter Jr.	10.9	2.1
(6-3; 192; Sr.; Columbia, S.C.)
5	Meechie Johnson	11.9	4.1
(6-2; 180; Soph.; Cleveland, Ohio)
10	Hayden Brown	10.4	4.6
(6-5; 234; Grad.; Greer, S.C)
23	Gregory "GG" Jackson II	16.1	6.9
(6-9; 215; Fr.; Columbia, S.C.)

TEAM COMPARISON

2022-23 STATISTICS	GEORGIA	SOUTH CAROLINA
Points Per Game	69.9	63.6
Opp. Point Per Game	66.3	73.1
Scoring Margin	+.3.3	-9.5
Field Goal Pct.	.419	.395
Opp. Field Goal Pct.	.414	.471
3-Point Pct.	.333	.314
3-Pointers Per Game	7.0	7.5
Opp. 3-Point Pct.	.287	.350
Free Throw Pct.	.732	.646
Free Throws Per Game	15.3	9.8
Rebounds Per Game	38.7	35.0
Opp. Rebound Per Game	34.0	35.6
Rebound Margin	+4.8	-0.6
Assists Per Game	11.7	10.5
Turnovers Per Game	14.0	13.0
Assist-to-Turnover Ratio	0.83	0.81
Turnover Margin	-2.2	-2.5
Steals Per Game	6.4	4.9
Blocks Per Game	3.0	2.9

The Starting 5...

Mike White is 17-2 all-time at Stegeman Coliseum – 1-0 at La. Tech, 6-1 at Florida and 10-1 at UGA.
According to KenPom.com, UGA is the nation's most improved defense, up 243 spots from last season.
UGA enters the weekend ranked No. 13 nationally in 3-point FG percentage defense at .287.
UGA is on pace to hold opponents under 30.0 from 3-point range for just the 2nd time in program history.
UGA's assist-to-TO ratio is up by +.20 since Thanksgiving, the best improvement by an SEC team during that span.

The Opening Tip

The Georgia Bulldogs return to the friendly confines of Stegeman Coliseum on Saturday evening to host South Carolina. Georgia is looking to snap a three-game losing skid.

The Bulldogs are 10-1 at Stegeman this season, winning their first 10 home outings before dropping an 85-82 decision to Vanderbilt last Saturday.

"I never want to sit here and talk to our fans a bunch because we have our work cut out for us," head coach Mike White said following the game. "I preach to our guys all the time about the exterior noise and let's focus on what we need to focus on... (but) I'm disappointed for our guys, and I'm disappointed for our fans. I hope that they'll come back and continue to support us because it was rocking in there."

All indicators are that the Bulldog Nation has liked what it has seen this season. As of Thursday afternoon, less that 230 tickets remained for the South Carolina contest, putting the Bulldogs well on their way to a crowd of 10,000 fans for the fourth time in their last five outings at Stegeman.

Keeping An Eye On: Entering Today's Game . . .

Jailyn Ingram is...
• 23 points from 1,500 for his career

Series History With S.C.

Despite a 33-22 advantage for Georgia in games played in Athens, South Carolina leads the overall all-time series with the Bulldogs, 62-58.

After Georgia swept a trio of wins over the Gamecocks during the 2015-16 campaign, which likely kept them out of the NCAA Tournament that season, South Carolina has won 12 straight matchups in the series. That has flipped what was a 58-50 edge for Georgia to today's advantage for the Gamecocks.

In the most recent game last Feb. 12, Kario Oquendo led a quartet of Bulldogs in double figures in an 80-68 setback to the Gamecocks at Stegeman Coliseum.

Braelen Bridges added 16 points, Jabri Abdur-Rahim chipped in 12 and Aaron Cook scored 11.

Georgia raced to an early 18-10 lead before the Gamecocks responded with a 24-3 surge to gain control. After trailing 42-38 at halftime, the Bulldogs grabbed a 45-44 lead on a layup from Jaxon Etter; however, South Carolina again answered, this time with a 14-6 run, and never trailed again.

Scouting The Gamecocks

South Carolina slipped to 8-12 overall and 1-6 in the SEC with an 81-60 setback at Florida on Wednesday night. The Gamecocks' league win was an impressive 71-68 victory at Kentucky.

South Carolina is in its first campaign under head coach Lamont Paris, who spent the previous five years at Chattanooga. Paris led the Mocs to a pair of 20-win seasons and an NCAA Tournament bid last spring when they finished 27-8 and swept the South Conference regular season and tournament titles.

Freshman Gregory "GG" Jackson II's averages of 16.1 points and 6.9 rebounds not only lead South Carolina, they rank No. 5 and No. 8, respectively, among SEC leaders.

Three more Gamecocks are putting up points at a double-digit clip, with Meechie Johnson at 11.9 ppg, Chico Carter Jr. at 10.9 ppg and Hayden Brown at 10.4 ppg.

Last Time Out

Georgia started quickly but could not maintain that pace on Wednesday at Thompson-Boling Arena, dropping a 70-41 decision to No. 4 Tennessee.

Terry Roberts paced the Bulldogs offensively for the 10th time overall and fifth occasion in seven SEC contests with 11 points.

The Bulldogs scored the game's first four points and remained within a single bucket at 19-17 midway through the first half before the Vols embarked on a 16-5 surge to take control.

Defending Outside The Arc

Georgia entered this weekend ranked No. 13 nationally in 3-point defense, with the Bulldogs' opponents connecting on just 28.7 percent (121-of-421) of their attempts from outside the arc.

Georgia's defense from 3-point range has slightly better in league play, a more paltry 28.1 percent (43-of-153).

The Bulldogs are on their way to having one of the best 3-point defense marks in program history as outlined below.

Only once in the 37 seasons since the arc was added nationally in 1986-87 has Georgia held its opponents to less than 30 percent from outside the arc, and that was by the slimmest of margins – 29.9 percent in 1993-94.

Best 3-point Defending Dogs
RK.	Season	3FG-FGA	Pct
1.	1993-94	158-529	.299
2.	1996-97	191-622	.307
3.	2001-02	219-708	.309
4.	2014-15	207-665	.311
5.	2007-08	215-684	.314

Bulldogs' Defense Stiffens

With a Jan. 11 win over Mississippi State, Georgia improved to 12-4 overall and 2-1 in the SEC, doubling its win totals from last season. Much of the Bulldogs' success can be attributed its much-improved defense.

During the 2021-22 season, Georgia ranked No. 338 nationally in both scoring defense (78.5 ppg) and field goal defense (.473) and No. 260 in 3-point field goal defense (.439).

The Bulldogs entered this weekend up 249 spots to No. 89 in scoring defense (66.3 ppg), 263 positions to No. 75 in opponent FG percentage (.414) and 247 slots to No. 13 in opponent 3-point percentage (.287) this season.

We Trust The Analytics

The Bulldogs are the nation's most improved team from a defensive efficiency standpoint...if you believe the KenPom.com metrics.

A year ago, Georgia ranked No. 318 nationally on the defensive end. Of the six major conferences, only Oregon State, at No. 320, was behind Georgia.

This season, Georgia entered the weekend at No. 75 in KenPom's defensive efficiency. That's a jump of 243 spots from a year and the largest leap of any D-I team as outlined below.

Most Improved D'efficiency
RK.	School	21-22	22-23	Jump
1.	Georgia	318	75	+243
2.	Southern Miss	334	102	+232
3.	Massachusetts	342	132	+220
4.	Oregon State	320	144	+176
5.	James Madison	264	85	+179

Rogers Ups Offensive Output

Terry Roberts entered SEC play as Georgia's second-leading scorer, contributing 14.1 points per game in the Bulldogs' 13 non-conference outings.

In league action, Roberts' scoring average has jumped more than four points per game to 18.3 ppg, which ranks second in the SEC.

In 19 games played overall (he missed the Florida A&M game due to an illness), Roberts has produced team highs of 17 double-figure and five 20-point scoring outputs. Of those, seven of the double-digit and three 20-point performances have come in seven SEC contests.

Jabri, Terry Up 3s in SEC

Jabri Abdur-Rahim and Terry Roberts have proven to be two of the Southeastern Conference's most productive long-range shooters in league play.

While neither ranks among the SEC's overall leaders in 3-pointers per game, they are tied for fourth in stats for conference games only. Both Abdur-Rahim and Roberts are averaging 2.0 made shots from behind the arc in SEC action.

He Ain't Roy Kent, But...

if you peruse SEC statistical leaders, Terry Roberts may have you thinking "He's here. He's there. He's "...and we better stop right there.

The senior from North Amityville, N.Y., entered this week ranked among league leaders in six categories – No. 4 in assists (4.1 apg), No. 4 in free throw percentage (.824), No. 7 in scoring (15.6 ppg), No. 10 in steals (1.7 spg), No. 12 in field goal percentage (.390) and No. 13 in assist-to-TO ratio (1.37).

Roberts also is prominent among stat leaders for SEC games only. Most noticeably, he ranked No. 2 in scoring at 18.3 ppg, with three 20-point outings.

White Is Stellar At Stegeman

Although Stegeman Coliseum opened in February 1964, about 13 before Mike White was born, some might say the arena was built for him.

White was 7-1 in Stegeman before he became the Bulldogs' head coach. He led Louisiana Tech to an NIT victory over Georgia at Stegeman in 2014 and then was 6-1 against the Bulldogs in seven seasons at Florida from 2015-22.

Quick math adding in a 10-1 mark this season reveals White's 17-2 mark in the venue. A calculator was used to determine his winning percentage .895.

A Very Productive Bench

The Bulldogs who have come off the bench this season have scored 467 points, 33.5 percent of the 1,392 points put up by Georgia.

The Bulldogs' bench has outscored its opponents' reserves 467-321, a pretty substantial +146 margin...which directly equates to 7.3 ppg.

Georgia has won the "bench battle" in 16 of 20 games to date and tied Auburn in another.

According to KenPom.com, Georgia ranks No. 4 nationally in bench minutes, with reserves accounting for 45.4 percent of the Bulldogs' total PT.

Thankful We're Less Giving

Georgia's ball security numbers have taken a distinct turn since Turkey Day.

The Bulldogs recorded more turnovers than assists in each of the first six games prior to Thanksgiving, to the combined tune of 62 assists to 99 TOs. That equated to a paltry 0.63 assist-to-TO ratio.

The Bulldogs have produced even or positive ratios in 10 of 14 contests since then and improved their a-to-TO mark to 0.83. While that still ranks 13th in the SEC, the Bulldogs' improvement taking care of the basketball since Thanksgiving is the best in the league.

Since Turkey Day, six SEC teams' have produced a better assist-to-TO ratio than in their games prior to the holiday, while the other eight's ratios have dropped. The Bulldogs own the most positive up-tick as outlined on the next page.

Although "Thanksgiving" seems like a random line to draw, every SEC team had played either five or six games as of Nov. 24 so it seemed like a solid reference point to observe.

Assist-To-TOs Since Turkey Day
Team	11/24	1/26	Diff.
Georgia	0.63	0.83	+.20
Tennessee	1.18	1.32	+.14
S. Carolina	0.70	0.81	+.11
Texas A&M	0.96	1.05	+.09
Auburn	1.01	1.09	+.08
LSU	0.92	0.96	+.04

Healthy M-A Makes A Difference

Matthew-Alexander Moncrieffe was hindered for much of November after suffering an ankle sprain in the season opener against Western Carolina.

The junior from Ontario missed two games before returning to play in the next four contests. He then recorded two additional DNPs before coming back for the Georgia Tech contest.

In the Bulldogs' last 11 outings, Moncrieffe has been both Georgia's most efficient shooter and productive rebounder.

During that span, Moncrieffe has converted on 33-of-54 shots from the field – 61.1 percent. He also has posted his first three double-digit outings as a Bulldog – 11 points at Tech, 15 versus Notre Dame and 10 against Mississippi State.

Moncrieffe is averaging at team-best 6.1 rpg in his last 11 contests and grabbed team-high board tallies against Chattanooga, Rider, Auburn (a season-high nine), Kentucky and Tennessee

Anselem Protecting The Rim

The defensive presence of Frank Anselem has increased significantly of late.

The junior from Lagos, Nigeria, enters this weekend ranked No. 9 in blocks in SEC action, swatting 1.0 shots per game against league foes.

That comes after Anselem did not record a block in Georgia's first eight outings

In the 10 games since the Bulldogs returned to action following Final Exams, Anselem has averaged 1.3 blocks, including a career-high three swats against Chattanooga.

Dogs' Home Winning Streaks

Georgia is 10-0 start at Stegeman Coliseum made this just the sixth bunch of Bulldogs ever to post a double-figure home winning streak.

In fact, this season's streak tied the Georgia's sixth-longest overall, fifth-best in a single season and fourth-longest at Stegeman Coliseum as outlined below.

The Bulldogs' longest stretch of home success in one season came when the 1930-31 Bulldogs produced one of two perfect home records in program history and went 16-0 at old Woodruff Hall.

Georgia's longest overall home winning streak is 25 games. That span includes the final three games of the 1929-30 season, the 16-0 mark the following year and the first six dates in Athens by Georgia's 1932 Southern Conference Championship team.

UGA Hoops Overall Home Win Streaks
Rk.	W's	Span
1.	25	1930-32
2.	20	1939-40
3.	15	1989-90
4.	13	2002-03
5.	11	1998-99
6.	10	2022-23
	10	2007-08
	10	1985-86

UGA Hoops Single Season Home Win Streaks
Rk.	W's	Span
1.	16	1930-31
2.	13	1939-40
3.	12	1989-90
4.	11	2002-03
5.	10	2022-23
	10	2007-08

Hill, Oquendo Clutch In Wins

Justin Hill and Kario Oquendo produced key scoring surges in consecutive wins over Mississippi State and Ole Miss, respectively.

Hill recorded eight straight Georgia points between the 9:22-6:44 marks of the second half against State, with the last bucket giving the Bulldogs the lead for good.

Oquendo put up Georgia's final 12 points in a 62-48 road win over Ole Miss. In fact, he scored all of his game-high 15 points in the second half in Oxford, including both ends of a one-and-one with three seconds remaining.

Holt Gives Bulldogs Juice

Jusaun "Juice" Holt's stats in Georgia's consecutive wins over Mississippi State and Ole Miss were relatively pedestrian – combined totals of six points, seven rebounds and two steals in 33 minutes of action.

However, by the popular "+/-" metric, Holt was the Bulldogs' most productive player in those outings. With Holt on the floor, the Bulldogs were a combined "+30" against State (+17) and Ole Miss (+13).

A Milestone Night For Bridges

Braelen Bridges recorded a trio of significant statistical achievements during a Jan. 11 win over Mississippi State.

In his 100th career outing, the Atlanta native grabbed his 500th rebound and scored his 1000th point.

Dogs Notch Historical "W"

This season produced one of Georgia's most fruitful pre-New Year efforts ever.

The Bulldogs wrapped up their pre-SEC slate at 10-3 following a Dec. 28 victory over Rider – just the fourth time in program history the Bulldogs compiled a double-digit win total prior January.

The previous squads to obtain that standard – in 1996-97, 2001-02 and 2010-11 – went on to earn NCAA bids...though the 2002 appearance was later vacated.

Bulldogs Fight Through

Georgia's 10-3 start was more impressive considering the DNPs and missed practices endured during non-conference play.

Only four Bulldogs – Jabri Abdur-Rahim, Braelen Bridges, Justin Hill and Mardrez McBride – have played in every contest, and six Bulldogs have a combined 16 DNPs. In fact, the Notre Dame game – UGA's 11th contest – was the first outing when every player on Georgia's roster was available for action.

Eight Bulldogs have comprised nine different starting lineups. No player started every game, although three – Matthew-Alexander Moncrieffe, Kario Oquendo and Terry Roberts – got the nod for every game they've played.

Bridges Earns SEC POTW

Braelen Bridges was named SEC Player of the Week on Dec. 19, a day after his 18-point performance – on 9-of-9 shooting from the floor – in a Holiday Hoopsgiving win over Notre Dame.

White Secures Win No. 250

Mike White captured the 250th victory of his head coaching career on Dec. 2 against Florida A&M.

White compiled a 101-40 record in four seasons in Louisiana Tech from 2011-15, producing the best winning percentage (.716) of any men's basketball coach in program history.

In seven campaigns at Florida, White was 142-88. He reached 100 victories with the Gators in 158 games, the second-fastest pace ever behind Billy Donovan (154).

Bulldogs Sign Top-25 class

Georgia made a bang during NCAA's early signing period, inking a top-25 class comprised of two of ESPN's top-100 prospects – No. 72 Lamariyon "Mari" Jordan and No. 94 Dylan James.

James helped lead Winter Haven High to the semifinals of the 2022 Florida Class 6A state tournament. He was selected as the Lakeland Ledger's Player of the Year after averaging 15.2 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 3.4 blocks, 2.0 apg and 1.3 spg per game last season for the Blue Devils, who finished 23-8.

Jordan was tabbed first-team All-State for Class 6A as a junior after averaging 19.7 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 1.9 apg, 1.4 bpg and 1.2 spg per game for Dacula High. Over three seasons, Jordan compiled 1,257 points, 434 rebounds, 128 blocks, 109 assists and 104 steals for the Falcons.

A "March Madness" Pedigree

Five of Georgia's six first-year transfers played for teams that reached the 2021 or 2022 NCAA Tournaments.

Justin Hill (Longwood) and Jusaun Holt (Alabama) both took part in the "Big Dance" last spring. Frank Anselem (Syracuse), Madrez McBride (North Texas) and Matthew-Alexander Moncrieffe (Oklahoma State) all had tickets punched to the 2021 edition of "March Madness."

Oquendo Named All-SEC

Kario Oquendo was tabbed second-team preseason All-SEC by league coaches. Last season, he was Georgia's scoring leader, both overall (15.2 ppg) and in SEC play (18.3 ppg). Oquendo was the SEC's leading returning scorer in league action last season.

Bridges Finds Bottom Of Net

Braelen Bridges converted on 63.4 percent of his shots from the floor for Georgia last season. That not only led the SEC and ranked No. 7 nationally, it was one of the most efficient campaigns ever for UGA and in league history.

The Union Grove High School product knocked down 161 of his 264 field goals in his first year as a Bulldog in 2021-22.

Among the best single-season field goal percentages for the Bulldogs and within the SEC, Bridges' effort ranks No. 2 and No. 17 all-time, respectively.

Bridges became the first Bulldog to pace the SEC in shooting efficiency since Lavon Mercer did so in 1980 at 61.1 percent. Interestingly, Mercer set the UGA record (64.3 percent) in 1979 but did not lead the SEC that season.

Ingram Offers Experience

According to research by Middle Tennessee's SID staff, Jailyn Ingram is one of five seventh-year men's players in Division-I basketball this season.

The Madison, Ga., native and Morgan County High graduate, spent five seasons at Florida Atlantic before returning to his home state prior to the 2021-22 season.

Ingram played in 122 games for the Owls from 2016-21, including a redshirt campaign in 2018-19. All told, he recorded 1,334 points and 630 rebounds for the Owls, which are the No. 6 and No. 3 totals in program history.

Ingram played in nine games last season for Georgia before suffering a season-ending injury on Dec. 7 against Jacksonville. He received an additional red-shirt from the NCAA to return to the Bulldogs this season.

That makes Ingram among of quintet of players – including a well traveled Nittany Lion – competing for a seventh college basketball season this winter as outlined below.

7th-Year Super Duper Seniors
Name	Schools
Jailyn Ingram	FAU, Georgia
DeAndre Dishman	EKU, MTSU
Juan Munoz	Longwood, Hawaii
DeJuan Clayton	Coppin State, Cal
Michael Henn	UC-Davis, Cal Baptist, Portland, Denver, Penn State

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Jabri Abdur-Rahim

Frank Anselem-Ibe

Braelen Bridges

Aaron Cook

Jaxon Etter

Justin Hill

Jusaun Holt

Jailyn Ingram

Mardrez McBride

Matthew-Alexander Moncrieffe

Kario Oquendo

Terry Roberts

University of Georgia Athletics