Georgia Southern @ Georgia preview

Georgia hosts Georgia Southern on Monday after a much-needed victory on Friday against SMU, a win the Bulldogs earned thanks in part to players not named Anthony Edwards. The heralded freshman guard scored 16 points, but junior forward Rayshaun Hammonds, senior guard Jordan Harris and freshman guard Sahvir Wheeler all came up big at key times to help the Bulldogs triumph in their first game since a 20-point defeat at Arizona State six days earlier.

Hammonds led Georgia with 21 points and 11 rebounds for his third double-double of the season, Harris scored nine points in 17 minutes in his season debut after missing nine games due to an unspecified violation of team rules, and Wheeler’s driving layup with 1.9 seconds left in double-overtime lifted the Bulldogs to an 87-85 victory. “We all chipped in,” Wheeler told reporters postgame. “We all have confidence in each other.” The Bulldogs now look to build a modest winning streak with a home contest Dec. 30 against Austin Peay leading into a trip to No. 13 Memphis on Jan. 4. The Eagles have won two in a row - both Sun Belt Conference victories over Texas State and Texas-Arlington - and face their second SEC school this season after losing 83-74 on Nov. 5 at Auburn.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, SEC Network

ABOUT GEORGIA SOUTHERN (8-4): The Eagles rallied from an 11-point halftime deficit Saturday against Arlington, as senior forward Isaiah Crawley scored the go-ahead basket with 27.3 seconds remaining. Senior guard Ike Smith finished with team highs in points (16) and rebounds (nine), and leads Georgia Southern in both categories (15.3, 6.2). Sophomore guard Elijah McCadden averages 14.3 points and leads the Eagles in 3-point shooting at 42.2 percent.

ABOUT GEORGIA (7-3): Edwards has struggled with his shooting at times (going 6-for-17 from the field Friday), but the likely lottery pick in next summer’s NBA draft is near the top of the SEC in scoring (19.4) and steals (2.1). Hammonds bounced back from a rough showing against Arizona State (four points on 1-for-9 shooting) to go 7-for-15 from the field and 3-for-7 from 3-point range Friday. Wheeler matched his season high with eight assists against SMU and is averaging 4.9 on the season.

TIP-INS

1. Georgia freshman F Toumani Camara registered a career-best six rebounds Friday in his first start of the season.

2. Bulldogs senior G Tyree Crump drained 4-for-9 from 3-point range against SMU and is 10-for-28 in his past three games.

3. Georgia sophomore F Amanze Ngumezi, who averaged 6.1 points in seven games before being suspended by the team, reportedly has entered the transfer portal.

PREDICTION: Georgia 83, Georgia Southern 70