Georgia Basketball: Sahvir Wheeler has become Bulldogs “workhorse” point guard

Most people typically tune into Georgia basketball because they are invested or interested in their opponent. Of course, it is unfortunate. However, that tends to be the case at most schools where football reigns supreme. Although the Bulldogs are once again struggling to win in the SEC, there is one Georgia-specific reason more people should be paying attention to their games. That reason is their sophomore point guard, Sahvir Wheeler.

14 games into year-two under Head Coach Tom Crean, Sahvir Wheeler has transformed into Georgia’s workhorse, playing more than any other member on the roster. Averaging 33.4 minutes per contest, Wheeler is Georgia’s most utilized player by far. So far this season, he has played in 83.6% of possible minutes. Already gobbling up 468 minutes of total game time, Wheeler should have no problem surpassing his 847 minutes of play from last season.

Of course, accruing playing time only means so much. Logging many minutes doesn’t necessarily translate to high-quality play, especially on a subpar or poor team. Let us be honest here, Georgia flirts with that line between poor and subpar.

Although Georgia began their 2020-21 campaign on a seven-game winning streak, the competition was inferior. Once they started playing more respectable teams, the Bulldogs started to show their true colors. They are just 2-5 in the SEC, with their only wins coming against Ole Miss and a swan-diving Kentucky.

The Bulldogs are a middle of the road team in terms of adjusted efficiency. They are averaging 106.9 points per 100 possessions while holding opponents to 98.7. Those first seven games assisted in boosting those numbers as they are far less efficient in conference tilts.

One of Georgia’s biggest strengths, its transition game, serves as one of the team’s biggest weaknesses as well. The Bulldogs are one of the best transition teams in the nation. However, they are too dependent on it to create offense. Of course, this leads to shorter possession time, allowing opponents more opportunities with the ball.

Focussing back on Wheeler, the point guard is still having a strong season halfway through the campaign. He’s averaging 13.9 points and 7.6 assists per contest. He is not the most offensively efficient player, possessing a 40.3 eFG%, as he too succeeds most producing offense in transition. Where he does stand out the most is in his ability to create offense for others. Wheeler’s current assist rate is 37.9, a large portion of Georgia’s points are a result of the sophomore point guard.

Teams typically expect their point guard to be a leader on the court. Even if it is not on the scoresheet, their presence is always felt. That is what Georgia possesses in Sahvir Wheeler. The product as a whole might not be much, but Wheeler is impossible to miss on the court. That is exactly what you want to see from someone running the point for most of each game.

Something is pleasing about watching a player give his all even when his team demand so much. Sahvir Wheeler may not wow you with his point totals. However, he will amaze you with the consistent impact he has on the Georgia Bulldogs every game.