Missouri @ Georgia preview
Stegeman Coliseum
Last Meeting ( Mar 8, 2018 ) Georgia 62, Missouri 60
Both teams will be trying to post back-to-back wins for the first time in 2019 when Georgia hosts Missouri on Wednesday. The Tigers are 12th in the SEC standings - one spot and two games ahead of the Bulldogs.
The Tigers haven’t captured two straight since registering a six-game winning streak in December, but they’re coming off an impressive 78-63 home triumph over South Carolina on Saturday. The Bulldogs also are looking to make it two in a row for the first time this calendar year after recording a stunning 61-55 win at Florida on Saturday. The victory snapped a nine-game skid for Georgia, although it had lost its previous four contests by a total of nine points. The Bulldogs have won four of their five home meetings with the Tigers, whose lone triumph at Georgia occurred in 2008.
TV: 6:30 p.m. ET, SEC Network
ABOUT MISSOURI (13-15, 4-12 SEC): The Tigers’ offensive dynamic has changed a bit since 3-point specialist Mark Smith (11.4 points, 5.2 rebounds) was lost to a season-ending ankle injury. Jordan Geist (13.9 points) still is the team's primary scorer, and Missouri likes to get the ball inside to Jeremiah Tilmon (10.5 points, 5.8 rebounds). Freshman Torrence Watson (6.1 points) has stepped up in Smith’s absence, leading the team in scoring in consecutive games - including a career-high 20-point effort against South Carolina.
ABOUT GEORGIA (11-18, 2-14): The Bulldogs also have been without a key offensive player, as Rayshaun Hammonds (12.1 points, 6.1 rebounds) is nursing a right foot injury and played only five minutes against the Gators after missing Wednesday’s loss to Auburn. Nicolas Claxton (13.2 points, 8.6 rebounds) carried the load with a career-high 25 points at Florida, and he has help in the paint from Derek Ogbeide (9.7, 5.6). Reserve guard Tyree Crump (9.7 points) is the Bulldogs’ best 3-point threat.
TIP-INS
1. Missouri has outrebounded three of its last five opponents by double digits.
2. Georgia G Jordan Harris is averaging 11.3 points and five rebounds over his last 11 games after posting 4.1 and 2.5 over his first 15 contests.
3. The Tigers have held four consecutive opponents and six of the last nine under 70 points and are 12-4 when accomplishing the feat.
PREDICTION: Georgia 71, Missouri 69