SEC Basketball: In-depth conference preview
By Stuart Gill
5. Georgia Bulldogs
2015-16 record: 20-14 overall, 10-8 in SEC
Head coach: Mark Fox
Notable departures: Kenny Gaines, Charles Mann
Notable returnees: J.J. Frazier, Yante Maten, Derek Ogbeide, Kenny Paul Geno, Mike Edwards, Juwan Parker
Notable newcomers: Four-star SG Tyree Crump, four-star SG Jordan Harris, JUCO SF Pape Diattai
Expectations are high in Athens for Mark Fox’s Bulldogs. Georgia has added two talented recruits in Jordan Harris and Tyree Crump to take the place of guards Kenny Gaines and Charles Mann, who accounted for 23.7 combined points per game a year ago.
Harris averaged a double-double during his last two seasons of high school ball, boasting averages of 30.5 points and 11.4 rebounds, to go along with six assists and nearly four steals per game. Crump is also an accomplished scorer, averaging over 20 points during high school.
UGA was also able to hang onto leading scorer J.J. Frazier, who will resume control of the Bulldogs’ backcourt this November. Yante Maten, the 6’8″ forward who averaged 16.5 points per game for the Bulldogs last year, will be expected to continue to produce impressive points and rebounding averages.
Coach Fox will also need sophomore forward Derek Ogbeide to increase his offensive efficiency in order to have a complete front court. Georgia’s roster is stacked with talent from top to bottom this year, and they should expect to win at least 11 conference match-ups while competing for a top five spot in the SEC.