Back at Stegman, UGA Battles it out Against Arkansas

Athens, GA – At 9 PM EST, the Georgia Bulldogs will play their second conference game of the season against the Arkansas Razorbacks in their home stadium, Stegman Coliseum. The Dawgs are currently 11-3 overall and 1-0 in conference after their win against Missouri last Saturday. The Razorbacks, however, are 9-5 overall and 0-1 in the SEC after suffering an 83-51 loss to 25th-ranked Aurbun on Saturday. Tonight is also the Dawgs’ first game back after their road game this weekend, and they are favored by 1.5 points.

UGA advanced to 11-3 and started conference play well with a 75-68 away game win over the Missouri Tigers last Saturday. There, graduate student center Russel Tchewa played an impressive game for the Dawgs and put up season-high numbers with a double-double, leading the team in points (18) and rebounds (11) during the game. Measuring 7'0", Tchewa is the current rebounds leader for the Dawgs, averaging 6.6 rebounds per game and 93 total. Junior RJ Melendez and freshman Silas Demary Jr. follow behind Tchewa, each averaging 4.7 assists per game and 66 total for the season. Tchewa and Demary Jr. have been consistent starters for the Dawgs, and Melendez has had his fair share of playing time. All three men should play a role in UGA’s defensive game against the Razorbacks.

Senior guard Justin Hill also had a season-high against the Tigers going for 16 points and 4 for 8 on 3-pointers. Hill has been UGA’s best distributor leading the team in assists averaging 3.3 per game. Hill will be a key factor in the Dawgs’ game tonight in making sure their top sorcerers get the ball as well as shooting himself. Senior guard Jabri Abdur Rahim is the Dawgs’ leading scorer at 12.9 points per game. The 6’8” transfer from Virginia leads the team in shooting percentage for 3-pointers, 43.2% from behind the arch, and free throws, 88.2% from behind the line. Graduate student guard Noah Thomasson is right being Abdur-Rahim averaging 12.5 points per game. Both Thomasson and Abdur-Rahim are big offensive threats for the Dawgs and will be important tonight.

While they are 9–5, context is critical to understanding Arkansas’ record. Four of the Razorbacks' five losses have come to ranked opponents (13th Memphis, 7th North Carolina, 9th Oklahoma, and 16th Auburn), and one of their wins is over 11th-ranked Duke. Arkansas is averaging 80.1 points per game and has three players averaging over 13 points per game. Junior guard Tramon Mark is one of these men, averaging the team's highest with 16.5 points per game and shooting 42.5% from 3-point range. Sophomore Kayon Menefiled Jr. and senior Khalif Battle are the two men, with 14.8 and 13.6 points per game, respectively. Sophomore forward Trevon Brazile is just behind double-digit shooting with 9.9 points per game and is shooting 50% from field goal range. Brazile is also a big defensive threat for the Razorbacks, leading the team in rebounds with 6.9 per game.

A win for Arkansas today would place them in a better position within the conference, improving their record to 1-1. It would also give them an important win on the road, as they have yet to play an away game all year. For the Dawgs, a win would give them momentum going into a big game against No. 5 Tennesse this weekend in addition to expanding upon their longest win streak under Mike White (the win streak is currently at 9 games).

Other Georgia News:

• Georgia Clinches the SEC East for Third Straight Season
• CFP Rankings Released - Georgia Remains on Top on CFB
• WATCH: Kirby Smart Talks Georgia Tech Rivalry, Updates Injury Report

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