College

Bulldogs Go for Season Sweep of Ole Miss

Georgia (14-9, 4-6 SEC) vs. Ole Miss (9-14, 1-9 SEC)

Tuesday, February 7 at 7:00 p.m. ET

Stegeman Coliseum (10,523) in Athens, Ga.

Series History: UGA leads, 77-46

Last meeting: UGA, 62-58, on Jan. 14, 2023

Video: SEC Network (Mike Morgan, pbp; Joe Kleine, analyst)

Audio: Georgia Bulldogs Radio Network (Scott Howard, pbp; Chuck Dowdle, analyst; Adam Gillespie, producer)

The Starting Five

• Eight different Dogs have been used to comprise 11 different starting lineups for UGA this season.

• No Dog has started every game, though M-A Moncrieffe, K. Oquendo and T. Roberts have started every GP.

• Georgia is 11-1 at home this season, improving Mike White to 18-2 all-time in Stegeman Coliseum.

• UGA is ranked No. 2 nationally in bench minutes, with reserves logging 45.5 percent of the Dogs’ PT.

• UGA’s assist-to-TO ratio is up by +.22 since Thanksgiving, the best improvement by an SEC team during that span.

The Opening Tip

Georgia returns to the extremely friendly confines of Stegeman Coliseum on Tuesday evening when the Bulldogs host Ole Miss.

Georgia has compiled an 11-1 home record this season and with five regular-season games in Athens, could challenge the program’s season record for home victories – 15 home Ws during the 2015-16 season.

Mike White is now 18-2 all-time in Stegeman. He was 1-0 at Louisiana Tech and 6-3 at Florida before arriving in Athens this season.

Georgia dropped to 14-9 overall and 4-6 in the SEC play after road setbacks to No. 25/23 Auburn and Texas A&M last week. The Bulldogs faced the Aggies without leading scorer Terry Roberts, who suffered a concussion in the matchup with Auburn.

Ole Miss is one of five SEC teams Georgia will face on a home-and-home basis this season. The Bulldogs are currently 3-3 against those foes, defeating Auburn, Ole Miss and South Carolina and dropping road outings at Florida, Kentucky and Auburn.

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

Jailyn Ingram is...

• 17 points from 1,500 for his career

Series History Ole Miss

Georgia is 77-46 all-time versus Ole Miss, including a 42-15 edge in Athens.

Most recently, the Bulldogs rallied to a 62-58 win over the Rebels three and a half weeks ago in Oxford on Jan. 14.

Kario Oquendo scored all of his game-high 15 points in the second half to lead Georgia, including the Bulldogs’ final 12 points of the afternoon.

Terry Roberts added 14 points and game-high tallies of seven rebounds and five assists.

With Georgia trailing 54-50 and 5:44 remaining, Oquendo put up all of the Bulldogs’ digits in a 12-4 run to close out the contest. He hit back-to-back 3-pointers that flipped the score from down 56-54 to up 60-56.

Following an Ole Miss bucket, Oquendo knocked down both ends of a one-and-one with three seconds left to ice the victory.

The win was Georgia’s first road victory since they defeated Auburn, 91-86, on Feb. 2, 2021 – a span or 711 days.

In the Rebels’ last trip to Athens on Feb. 19 last, Braelen Bridges’ 17-point performance led Georgia in an 85-68 setback to Ole Miss.

Kario Oquendo added 14 points and Jabri Abdur-Rahim scored 11. Former Bulldog Tye Fagan paced the Rebels with game-high tallies of 20 points, five assists, four steals and 38 minutes.

The Rebels led 42-38 after a buzzer-beating 3-pointer entering the intermission and gradually expanded that distance throughout the second stanza.

Scouting The Rebels

After opening the season with an 8-3 record, Ole Miss enters Tuesday’s game at 9-14 overall and 1-9 in the SEC.

Matthew Murrell paces Ole Miss offensively with averages of 14.7 points and 2.5 assists per game. Murrell saw his first playing time last Saturday at Vanderbilt since suffering a knee injury at Arkansas on Jan. 21. Myles Burns leads the Rebels in rebounds (6.3 rpg) and steals (2.1 spg).

Like Georgia, the Rebels sport a deep rotation, with 10 players securing double-digit minutes per game and two more logging 9.2 and 8.8 mpg.

Last Time Out

Justin Hill scored a season-high 20 points in his return to his home state; however, Georgia dropped an 82-57 decision to Texas A&M in College Station last Saturday.

Hill, who is from Houston, also led the Bulldogs with three assists and three steals against the Aggies. Jabri Abdur-Rahim added 18 points off the bench.

A&M started quickly, racing to a 15-2 lead and maintaining a significant lead throughout the rest of the evening.

White Faces His Alma Mater

Mike White was a four-year starter for Ole Miss from 1995-99 and later served as an assistant coach for the Rebels from 2004-11.

During the 11 seasons of those combined stints, White helped Ole Miss record seven 20-win campaigns, capture four SEC West titles (1997, 1998, 2007 & 2010) and earn seven postseason bids (three NCAA and four NITs).

Ole Miss recorded its first span of three-consecutive 20-win seasons during White’s sophomore-senior years. The Rebels earned NCAA bids each of those years, including the program’s first-ever “March Madness” victory. In fact, White calls dribbling out the clock in that 72-70 NCAA win over Villanova at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee as the favorite memory of his basketball career.

White returned to Ole Miss as an assistant coach in 2004 and helped the Rebels advance to four NITs, including trips to the semifinals in 2008 and 2010.

The More Honored Athlete

During his playing career with the Rebels, White met his wife, the former Kira Zschau.

While Mike enjoyed great team success on the hardwood, Kira was the more celebrated individual athlete and earned All-SEC recognition on the volleyball court.

In Ole Miss records for the “sideout scoring” era, White ranks No. 3 in single-season kills (481 in 200) and owns the No. 2 and No. 3 single-match kill totals ever by a Rebel (31 vs. Arkansas in 2000 and 30 vs. Winthrop in 2000).

Dogs’ Double-Digit Starting 5s

Georgia has mixed and matched eight Bulldogs to comprise 11 different starting lineups during the first 23 games of the season.

Most of those were in non-conference play when Georgia had eight different quintets on the floor over the first 11 contests. The Bulldogs battled through a series of injuries and illnesses that resulted in 16 DNPs by six players. In fact, the Notre Dame game – Georgia’s 11th outing of the season – was the first when the entire roster was available for action.

After settling into a consistent quintet for nine games – from Notre Dame on Dec. 18 to Vanderbilt on Jan. 21 – the Bulldogs’ started a ninth and 10th different lineup against Tennessee and South Carolina, respectively. The final pairing came at Texas A&M.

No Bulldog has started every game, although three – Matthew-Alexander Moncrieffe, Kario Oquendo and Terry Roberts – have gotten the nod for every game they have played.

Only four Bulldogs – Jabri Abdur-Rahim, Braelen Bridges, Justin Hill and Mardrez McBride – have played in every contest this season.

Lots Of Dogs Lead In Scoring

Six different players have led Georgia offensively this season.

Including ties among players in certain games, Terry Roberts has paced the Bulldogs a team-high 10 times. In addition, Kario Oquendo has led Georgia six times, Mardrez McBirde has done so in four outings, Braelen Bridges and Justin Hill have led in two games each and Jabri Abdur-Rahim was the Bulldogs’ top point producer once.

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 12 of 16 contests since then and upped their a-to-TO mark to 0.85. 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, eight of the SEC’s teams have produced a better assist-to-TO ratio than in their games prior to the holiday, while the other six’s ratios have dropped. The Bulldogs own the most positive up-tick as outlined in the next column.

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 2/4 Diff.

Georgia 0.63 0.85 +.22

Texas A&M 0.96 1.11 +.15

Tennessee 1.18 1.32 +.14

Auburn 1.01 1.12 +.11

S. Carolina 0.70 0.80 +.10

Alabama 0.99 1.04 +.06

LSU 0.92 0.98 +.06

Ole Miss 1.00 1.01 +.01

A Very Productive Bench

The Bulldogs who have come off the bench this season have scored 556 points, 34.7 percent of the 1,603 points put up by Georgia.

The Bulldogs’ bench has outscored its opponents’ reserves 556-393, a pretty substantial +163 margin...which directly equates to 7.0 ppg. Georgia has won the “bench battle” in 18 of 23 games and tied Auburn (in Athens) in another.

According to KenPom.com, Georgia ranks No. 2 nationally in bench minutes, with reserves accounting for 45.5 percent of the Bulldogs’ total PT.

Dogs Start Hot At Home

Georgia won its first 10 games at Stegeman Coliseum, making 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 home winning streak, 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 Home Win Streaks

Overall

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

Season

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

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 11-1 mark this season reveals White’s 18-2 mark in the venue. We thought that converted to 90.0 percent (dividing it down to 9-1) but used a calculator to be certain public school math didn’t fail in this instance.

Drez Hot From 3-Point Range

Mardrez McBride’s five 3s against South Carolina equaled what was then Georgia’s most successful shots from behind the arc this season, matching Jabri Abdur-Rahim’s total versus Vanderbilt and Rider.

McBride improved that standard by connecting on six 3-pointers at Auburn.

In the process, McBride became the first Bulldog to make five or more 3-pointers in successive games in seven seasons... since current graduate assistant Kenny Gaines – he’s on the bench if TV wants a shot of him – did so.

Gaines made six 3-pointers against Auburn on Feb. 24, 2016 and followed that with five versus Ole Miss on Feb. 27. A wink to stats guru Dave McMahon for tracking down the aforementioned span.

Rebounding A Team Effort

Getting on the glass has been a team effort for Georgia.

A nation-leading 10 different Bulldogs have collected more than 50 boards this season. FYI, Tennessee and UMass Lowell also have 10 players with 50+ boards this season. A nod to stats guru Dave McMahon for tracking the aforementioned.

Bulldogs’ Defense Stiffens

With a Jan. 11 win over Mississippi State, Georgia doubled its overall and SEC win totals from last season. Much of the Bulldogs’ success can be attributed to their 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 week up 182 spots to No. 156 in scoring defense (68.7 ppg), 215 positions to No. 123 in opponent FG percentage (.425) and 225 slots to No. 35 in opponent 3-point percentage (.303) this season.

Defending Outside The Arc

The Bulldogs are holding their opponents to 30.3 percent shooting from 3-point range, putting them well 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

He Ain’t Roy Kent, But...

if you peruse Southeastern Conference 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’s action ranked among league leaders in six different statistical categories.

Roberts is currently listed at No. 4 in assists (4.2 apg), No. 6 in free throw percentage (.819), No. 8 in scoring (15.0 ppg), No. 9 in field goal percentage (.388), No. 11 in steals (1.7 spg) and No. 13 in assist-to-TO ratio (1.39).

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 14 outings, Moncrieffe has been both Georgia’s most efficient shooter from the field and productive performer on the glass.

During that span, Moncrieffe has converted on 40-of-66 shots from the field – 60.6 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 5.6 rpg over his last 14 contests. That’s 1.7 rpg better than any other Bulldog during that span and includes team-high board tallies against Chattanooga, Rider, Auburn in Athens (a season-high nine), Kentucky, Tennessee and Texas A&M.

Anselem Protecting The Rim

The defensive presence of Frank Anselem has increased significantly since the early portion of the season.

In the 13 games since the Bulldogs returned to action following Final Exams, Anselem has averaged 1.2 blocks, including a career-high three swats against Chattanooga.

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

The junior from Lagos, Nigeria, is ranked No. 11 in SEC action at 0.9 bpg.

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).

Milestones Mount For Bridges

Braelen Bridges reached a trio of significant statistical achievements during a Jan. 11 win over Mississippi State – his 100th game played, 500th rebound and 1000th point.

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

Bulldogs Sign Top-25 class

Georgia made a bang during NCAA’s early signing period, inking a top-25 recruiting class.

The incoming Bulldogs rank as two of ESPN’s top-100 prospects in the Class of 2023 – 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.”

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 spent five seasons at Florida Atlantic before returning to his home state prior to the 2021-22 season.

Ingram and others competing for a seventh college season – including a very well-traveled Penn State Nittany Lion – are 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

mobile apps

Everything you love about 960theref.com and more! Tap on any of the buttons below to download our app.

amazon alexa

Enable our Skill today to listen live at home on your Alexa Devices!