Pilchard
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Tomorrow, our Deacs play their one true OOC road game on the schedule in Athens. Here is the rundown on the Dawgs:
Last year 16-16 (6-12) #154: In his first year at UGA, the Dawgs improved from truly awful the year before (6-26; 1-17 #219) to just poor. Despite losing to WF 81-71 last November, UGA started the season 13-4 (3-1) before stumbling to a 3-12 finish. UGA did their best work at home beating #32 Auburn, #53 Mississippi State and #27 KY.
2023-4 UGA: Even with the moderate improvement, White isn't building off last year's team as UGA lost/pushed out its top three scorers from last year's team and 60% of last year's roster. For this season, White overhauled his personnel by adding 5 transfers and 4 freshman, while returning two starters from last year's squad.
Demonstrating the difficulty of incorporating so many no pieces to a roster, the Dawgs disappointed in a 82-71 season opening loss to Oregon; the game wasn't that close as Oregon led by as much as 20 late in the second half. Oregon dominated UGA on the boards (+22), while the Dawg offense struggled in every facet: .86 points per possession; 34% on two point FGs; 57% from the line; -5 in assists versus TOs; other than giving up 21 offensive rebounds, the Dawg defense played reasonably well holding Oregon to .99 points per possession; 43% from 2, while forcing 15 TOs.
The starting lineup against Oregon:
6-8 Sr. Jabri Abdur-Rahim: led UGA in scoring against Oregon with 18 points (3 for 6 from three) 5 boards; didn't start last year, but played a key role last season 122 O rating 39% from three
6-4 Sr. Noah Thomasson: Niagara transfer averaged 19 ppg last season 38% from three; struggled against Oregon 6 points; 2 for 9 from the field; 3 assists 3 TOs
6-5 Fr. Silas Demary: 4 star recruit (ranked #72 by 247) from Charlotte; WF offered; can play point; 8 points on 2 for 7 shooting; 5 boards 2 assists 1 TO
6-7 Jr. RJ Melendez: Illinois transfer; streaky shooter; shot 26% from three on the season; played well early for the Illini last season, but then went through stretch going an abysmal 5 for 40 from three, which naturally limited his PT; 5 TOs against Oregon
7-0 Sr. Russel Tchewa: USF transfer; plays a lot like Marsh; 275 pounds; scores on dunks and put-backs; never made a three in his career; 5 points 9 boards against Oregon
The bench (only two played played more than 7 minutes off the bench);
6-0 Sr. Justin Hill: transferred from Longwood before last season; plays point; 30% from three last year; 4 assists and 3 TOs against Oregon
6-5 Fr. Blue Cain: 4 star recruit (#77); has a rep as three point marksman; 12 points; 2 for 7 from three; 7 three attempts in an opening game; not bashful
The projection: KP liked UGA's adds to this year's roster as he jumped the Dawgs almost 100 spots (from #154 to #57) to open the season. After the loss to the Ducks, UGA has dropped 6 spots to #63. KP projects a 80-75 UGA win; Torvik 80-78 UGA. Big game for the Deacs as the NCAAT selection committee loves road OOC wins; best case scenario would be a WF win, and then for the UGA roster to gel and the Dawgs to have a good season in the SEC. Like this matchup as we have two coaches at the start of the season integrating lots of new pieces, but the advantage goes to Forbes over White (at least I hope so). FWIW, this looks to be a fast paced game as UGA/Oregon played an 83 possession game on Monday; while WF played a 76 possession game against Elon; both are big jumps from their 2022-23 averages. So, would look over (UGA likely to improve on offense; and UGA/Oregon went over) and shade the Deacs' side if WF is getting 4 or more (guessing it will open around UGA -3).
Last year 16-16 (6-12) #154: In his first year at UGA, the Dawgs improved from truly awful the year before (6-26; 1-17 #219) to just poor. Despite losing to WF 81-71 last November, UGA started the season 13-4 (3-1) before stumbling to a 3-12 finish. UGA did their best work at home beating #32 Auburn, #53 Mississippi State and #27 KY.
2023-4 UGA: Even with the moderate improvement, White isn't building off last year's team as UGA lost/pushed out its top three scorers from last year's team and 60% of last year's roster. For this season, White overhauled his personnel by adding 5 transfers and 4 freshman, while returning two starters from last year's squad.
Demonstrating the difficulty of incorporating so many no pieces to a roster, the Dawgs disappointed in a 82-71 season opening loss to Oregon; the game wasn't that close as Oregon led by as much as 20 late in the second half. Oregon dominated UGA on the boards (+22), while the Dawg offense struggled in every facet: .86 points per possession; 34% on two point FGs; 57% from the line; -5 in assists versus TOs; other than giving up 21 offensive rebounds, the Dawg defense played reasonably well holding Oregon to .99 points per possession; 43% from 2, while forcing 15 TOs.
The starting lineup against Oregon:
6-8 Sr. Jabri Abdur-Rahim: led UGA in scoring against Oregon with 18 points (3 for 6 from three) 5 boards; didn't start last year, but played a key role last season 122 O rating 39% from three
6-4 Sr. Noah Thomasson: Niagara transfer averaged 19 ppg last season 38% from three; struggled against Oregon 6 points; 2 for 9 from the field; 3 assists 3 TOs
6-5 Fr. Silas Demary: 4 star recruit (ranked #72 by 247) from Charlotte; WF offered; can play point; 8 points on 2 for 7 shooting; 5 boards 2 assists 1 TO
6-7 Jr. RJ Melendez: Illinois transfer; streaky shooter; shot 26% from three on the season; played well early for the Illini last season, but then went through stretch going an abysmal 5 for 40 from three, which naturally limited his PT; 5 TOs against Oregon
7-0 Sr. Russel Tchewa: USF transfer; plays a lot like Marsh; 275 pounds; scores on dunks and put-backs; never made a three in his career; 5 points 9 boards against Oregon
The bench (only two played played more than 7 minutes off the bench);
6-0 Sr. Justin Hill: transferred from Longwood before last season; plays point; 30% from three last year; 4 assists and 3 TOs against Oregon
6-5 Fr. Blue Cain: 4 star recruit (#77); has a rep as three point marksman; 12 points; 2 for 7 from three; 7 three attempts in an opening game; not bashful
The projection: KP liked UGA's adds to this year's roster as he jumped the Dawgs almost 100 spots (from #154 to #57) to open the season. After the loss to the Ducks, UGA has dropped 6 spots to #63. KP projects a 80-75 UGA win; Torvik 80-78 UGA. Big game for the Deacs as the NCAAT selection committee loves road OOC wins; best case scenario would be a WF win, and then for the UGA roster to gel and the Dawgs to have a good season in the SEC. Like this matchup as we have two coaches at the start of the season integrating lots of new pieces, but the advantage goes to Forbes over White (at least I hope so). FWIW, this looks to be a fast paced game as UGA/Oregon played an 83 possession game on Monday; while WF played a 76 possession game against Elon; both are big jumps from their 2022-23 averages. So, would look over (UGA likely to improve on offense; and UGA/Oregon went over) and shade the Deacs' side if WF is getting 4 or more (guessing it will open around UGA -3).
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