The Texas Longhorns and the Georgia Bulldogs meet for the eighth time since the first game on December 12, 1983. The last game the two played was on May 21, 2005. Georgia won both games along with three others to gain a 5-2 edge in the series. The two wins by Texas were at Athens and in the NCAAs in 2003 on their way to the Final Four. The Bulldogs returned the favor in 2005, knocking the Longhorns out of the NCAAs in round two of the tournament. In this game, Texas (6-0) is ranked #2 (AP) and #4 (Coaches) while Georgia (7-0) is receiving votes in both polls. These are two undefeated teams meeting in the Big 12/SEC Challenge. One will depart the court still undefeated while the other will suffer their first loss of the season. The rest of the Big 12/SEC Challenge games are: LSU 48 at Texas Tech 40, Nov. 30 Kentucky 63 at Baylor 90, Nov. 30 Kansas State 59 at Missouri 73, Nov. 30 Alabama 67 at TCU 88, Dec. 1 Iowa State at Vanderbilt, Dec. 2 Oklahoma State at Mississippi State, Dec. 3 Arkansas at Kansas, Dec. 3 Florida at Oklahoma, Dec. 3 West Virginia at Texas A&M, Dec. 3 GEORGIA Caliya Robinson (#4, 6-3 Jr. F) with 13.9 ppg; Mackenzie Engram (#33, 6-2 Sr. F) at 12.1 ppg and Que Morrison (#23, 5-6 Fr. G) averaging 10.4 ppg lead the Bulldogs in scoring. Taja Cole (#0, 5-7 RS Soph. G) is the fourth leading scorer at 8.9 ppg. Six Bulldogs have taken at least ten treys so fare this season. Morrison (8-27, 29.6%) is the main 3pt threat. She is joined by Gabby Connally (#2, 5-6 Fr. G) who is the only other player to take at least 20 threes. Connally is 8 of 23 (34.8%) from BTA. Robinson (6-12; 50.0%), Cole (5-12; 41.7%) and Engram (6-16; 37.5%) are the most accurate from BTA. Connally (13-14; 92.9%) is the one Bulldog Texas does not want to send to the FT line. Stephanie Paul (#3, 6-1 Soph. F) has gotten to the FT line the most for Georgia. She is 14 of 22 (63.6%). Second in FT attempts is Cole at 9 of 21 (42.9%). Robinson (7.3 rpg) and Engram (7.0 rpg) are the main players for Georgia on the boards. Next is Paul at 4.9 rpg. Paul is the main distributor for the Bulldogs with 5.7 apg (40 assists). Robinson, with 19 assists, leads a group of five that have at least 15 assists for the season (2.1 apg). Robinson has 19 blocks while Engram has ten and Bianca Blanaru (#51, 6-5 RS Jr) adds seven blocks. The Bulldogs have five players with at least nine steals. Robinson (14) and Engram (10) are at the top with Morrison, Cole and Connally each with nine steals. All five starters for Georgia average from 27.7 (Engram) to 23.3 mpg (Haley Clark (#12, 5-9 Sr. G). Oher starters are Robinson, Morrison and Cole. The quintet has started all seven games for Georgia. Ten of the dozen players are averaging double digit minutes for the season. TEXAS The Horns are led by four starters averaging double digit scoring: Brooke (13.7 ppg), Ariel (12.8 ppg), LaShann (11.8 ppg) and Jatarie (11.2 ppg). Seven players are hitting over 50% or better from the field, led by Ariel (65.2%), LaShann (63.4%), Jatarie (61.7%), Audrey-Ann (60.7%) and Jada (60.0%). Only three players are making less than 45% from the field. Five Horns are at 50% or better from BTA with Brooke (14-27; 51.7%), Ariel (9-17; 52.9%) and Alecia (8-16; 50.0%) the most prolific shooters from BTA. LaShann gets to the FT line four times a game, converting 70.8% of her attempts. She, Ariel (8-11; 72.7%) and Brooke (6-6; 100%) are the only Horns connecting on at least 70% of their FTs. Texas shares the rebounding duty with no one dominant rebounder. Rellah (6.5 rpg), Audrey-Ann (6.0 rpg) and Jatarie (5.2 rpg) are the leading rebounders with everyone averaging at least 1.3 rpg. Five Horns have reached double digits in assists with Brooke (33) and Ariel (28) at the top. LaShann (11), Alecia (16) and Chasity (10) are the other three with Jada poised to join the group as she currently has eight assists. Horns are only averaging 4.5 blocks a game this season. Ariel has six blocks with Audrey-Ann and Rellah second with four each. Khaléann has three blocks. Ten of the 13 players have at least two steals with Ariel (3.0 spg), Brooke (1.8 spg) and Audrey-Ann (1.3 spg) leading the way as the Horns average 10.8 steals a game. All 13 players have played this season although not all have played in all games. Brooke, Ariel, Lashann and Audrey-Ann have started all six games. Jatarie started the first five before Jordan started the last game in her place. Brooke (25.0 mpg) and Ariel (21.3 mpg) are the only Horns that are averaging over 20 mpg. Everyone else is averaging at least 11.3 mpg. LSU was the closest game to day with Texas winning 75-66. In that game, Brooke played 33 minutes with the other starters joined by Alecia all playing over 20 minutes. I would expect similar times for this game although pretty much everyone should get into the game although not necessarily for double digit minutes. Khaléann will miss this game with an ankle injury. Hopefully, Jada has recovered from migraines and will be available.
Not sure if the last starting lineup will continue. Neither Jordan nor Jatarie seemed in sync as they adjusted to their new roles. But, since the projected starting lineups are based on the last game: This is going to be interesting. Georgia’s strength is inside with their posts Robinson and Engram who lead the team in scoring, rebounding, shots blocked, steals and each averages over 2 assists a game. Georgia is going to have to deal with the Texas guards. The issue for Texas is that both Georgia posts are three point threats that will draw out our posts. Of course, Audrey-Ann, more than Jordan or Jatarie represents the same problem for Georgia. Both teams have depth although Khaléann’s injury leaves the Horns a bit thin inside. Both teams are strong on the boards. Rellah’s ability to rebound and provide rest to the post starters will be critical for the Horns. Paul will provide the same role for Georgia. Another facet of the game to keep an eye on as it’s another way that Texas uses to run and it’s a way that Georgia can use to slow down the Horns’ fast break. Georgia’s defense is providing similar stats as does Texas’ as far as steals and turnover margin. But Texas is shooting better from the field in all four areas: FGs, 3pters, FGs inside the arc and FTs. Yes, FTs. I thought the Horns were bad in shooting FTs. The Bulldogs are worse, except for Connally who is a premier FT shooter at 92.9%. Horns are averaging 63.7% from the FT line to Georgia’s 60.9%. The three point defense will be important as both teams put up over 16 treys a game. Both shoot well from BTA as Texas is hitting 38.0% and Georgia 34.5% from there. Texas will look to impose their fast pace on the game while Georgia will try to slow down things down a bit. Texas averages 1.85 shot attempts a minute resulting in 2.4 points per minute. Georgia is at 1.60 attempts per minute with 1.9 points a minute. Points off turnovers are important to both as Texas forces 22.7 TOs a game and Georgia 21.4 TOs. Texas does tend to get off strong in the first quarter while Georgia starts slow. Of course, the Bulldogs’ opponents start off even slower. Texas allows 11.7 points in the first quarter while scoring 28.0 points while Georgia allows 12.4 points in the first quarter and scores 14.4. Wonder who will win the first quarter? Georgia’s highest crowd to date: 3292 in their home opener versus Wofford. Will Texas bring in a bigger crowd? Sure hope so. Georgia’s best wins so far have been on the road versus Virginia (64-61) and BYU (79-63). Surprisingly, the Bulldogs had a spot of trouble with Tennessee Tech at home, winning 56-48. Meanwhile, Texas’ two best wins have been on a neutral court in Las Vegas over LSU (75-66) and Washington (92-68). The game is this Sunday at 3 PM CST on the SEC Network (Spectrum 384 in the Austin area). Radio will be on 105.3 FM.
I see that OSU/MSU at 1pm and our game at 3pm will be on the SEC network. At least we don't have to stream, like Vegas.
http://www.texassports.com/news/2017/12/1/womens-basketball-catching-up-with-celina-rodrigo.aspx http://www.texassports.com/news/2017/12/2/no-2-womens-basketball-preview-georgia.aspx The Bulldogs got a very good player from Brandeis HS in San Antonio in Fr. G Gabby Connally. http://www.georgiadogs.com/news/2017/12/2/womens-basketball-unbeatens-clash-as-georgia-takes-on-no-2-texas.aspx
late start on televising as OSU vs Miss State went late. Robinson out with two fouls. Huge. Horns need to take advantage of her absence.
Both teams scored below their averages for the first quarter, no surprise. But while Georgia does get stronger as the game goes on, Texas does not drop off that much. If the D can continue to stay strong for the Horns, they have an excellent shot at winning this battle of the unbeatens.
STRONG finish to the half after Georgia made a run to get within seven. 46-27 Horns at the half. Both teams missing their starting posts the second quarter although Georgia was without their main post, Robinson, for almost all of the first half as she picked up three quick fouls. ND still up on UConn 43-36 at the half. UConn making a run, though, as they have cut their deficit by half.
none of the frosh got in during the first half. Horns still played nine players. Eight scored led by Ariel's 14. Sweet to have productive depth.
that was a bad call on Jatarie. the defender had her foot inside the arc. should have been a block, not a charge.
okay, now Jatarie has three fouls. our starting posts are sitting with three fouls each with 7 and half to go in the third quarter.
Rellah's in. first frosh to see action. may be the only one in this game. Horns still hanging in there. matching Georgia's scoring. This half is supposed to be when Georgia comes on strong.
Horns added to their lead at the end of three, 67-46. lots of fouls called on posts from both teams. Audrey-Ann has four, Jatarie 3 and Jordan and Mide two each. Grorgia's starting posts have three each.
twice, Georgia steals the ball on similar passes into the post. have to have better court vision. And that was our AA candidate making both passes.
awesome play by Audrey-Ann. stealing the fast break pass and passing back to her teammate as she went out of bounds.