What's Next?: Georgia Takes on Top 25 Ranked Missouri

The Bulldogs are coming off a blistering defeat to a top 20 ranked Alabama Crimson Tide team that outplayed Georgia in almost every aspect of the game. While an 82 point offensive output may not seem so bad, it is on the wrong side of Alabama’s record-setting 115 point offensive showing.

The Dawgs did not have a day good shooting the basketball as they shot just 43.2% from the field while only knocking down two three-pointers out of 19 attempts (10.5%). Both successful three-point attempts were credited to freshman guard KD Johnson.

The Tide were very successful from beyond the arc as 60% of their shots fell through the net from deep. Georgia’s regular high tempo offense was no match for Alabama’s offense as the Tide matched Georgia’s stride for stride.

Georgia’s poor shooting has become a real problem for the Dawgs against tougher opponents as teams take away Sahvir Wheeler’s ability to drive and dish from the paint. The blue-collar sophomore guard leads the country in assist per game despite Georgia’s woeful shooting from the field.

With just four games left in the shortened 2021 season, something has to change for the Dawgs if they even want a chance at making a run in the SEC tournament. At 12-8 overall and 5-7 in conference play, it is doubtful that the Dawgs will make the NCAA tournament unless we see drastic improvement down the stretch.

Things won’t get much easier for Georgia on Tuesday evening as they take on #10 Missouri inside the Steg. The Tigers at 13-5 (SEC: 6-5) come in on a two-game skid after an overtime nailbiting loss to Arkansas 86-81 on Saturday.

Missouri is one of the more experienced teams in the SEC this year as they bring back a dangerous backcourt with guards Xavier Pinson and Dru Smith, both averaging 14.7 and 14.2 points per game, respectively.

What will give Georgia some nightmares is their height, both guards are over six foot Pinson (6’2) and Smith (6’3) both can shoot it from beyond the arc and can drive into the paint and make plays at the rim.

With Georgia struggling on defense this season, ranking in the bottom of the conference in points per game, it could be a matchup nightmare defensively to go up against two scoring guards after a rough night on defense against the scoring backcourt of Alabama.

But that’s not everything the Tigers have to offer as they provide yet another intriguing matchup with star big man Jeremiah Tilmon. At 6’10 260 lbs, Tilmon can score with some of the best big men in the country. Georgia is not a very big team height-wise, as starting big man Toumani Camara is only 6’7, winning the rebound battle and stopping Tilmon will be tough.

A primary key for Georgia offensively will be attacking the Missouri guards. Many teams so far have found some success in isolating Xavier Pinson along the perimeter. Wheeler’s wheeling and dealing could be instrumental to Georgia’s success, granted the Dawgs hit their shots.

Defensively finding a way to limit the impact of one of Missouri’s scoring threats will be essential. Georgia needs to find a way to lock off a scoring threat and make Missouri work for their points. Alabama was given a lot of open shots on Saturday. Playing studier defense will go a long way in winning ball games like these.