Georgia @ Louisiana State preview

Last Meeting ( Feb 24, 2018 ) Louisiana State 82, Georgia 93

LSU is off to its best start in SEC play since 2006 and has won its last 17 home games, and looks to keep pace with No. 1 Tennessee at the top of the conference when it hosts Georgia on Wednesday. The Tigers never were threatened in Saturday’s 89-67 thrashing of South Carolina, extending their winning streak to seven games by winning the rebounding battle 49-29 and hitting 32-of-35 free-throw attempts.

“We did a great job attacking the paint,” LSU coach Will Wade told reporters following the game. “We had good pace and good spacing, especially in the first half.” While everything is clicking for the Tigers, the Bulldogs come in on a three-game losing streak after a 62-52 home defeat Saturday against Florida. Georgia crumbled down the stretch, seeing a five-point lead evaporate thanks in part to not making another shot from the field until 22 seconds remained, and were outscored 28-10 in points off turnovers. “I think we’ve got to be aware of our surroundings when we catch the ball,” Georgia guard Jordan Harris told the media afterward.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, SEC Network

ABOUT GEORGIA (9-8, 1-4 SEC): The Bulldogs are averaging just 62.2 points in conference games, and only one player is scoring in double figures (forward Nicolas Claxton, 10.2 per game). Forward Rayshaun Hammonds is Georgia’s top scorer overall at 12.9 points per contest, but has been held scoreless twice in SEC play - including Saturday against Florida. Harris, inserted into the starting lineup, led the Bulldogs with 10 points Saturday.

ABOUT LSU (14-3, 4-0): Forward Kavell Bigby-Williams earned SEC player of the week after averaging 13 points, 10.5 rebounds and three blocked shots in victories over Ole Miss and South Carolina. Guard Tremont Waters leads a balanced scoring attack at 13.5 points per game, averaging 17 points in SEC play on 52.3 percent shooting from the field. The Tigers are third in the SEC and tied for 27th nationally in scoring at 82.5 points per game entering Tuesday.

TIP-INS

1. Georgia is 9-of-41 from 3-point range in its past two games.

2. Waters leads the SEC and is fourth nationally in steals per game (2.94), and the Tigers are tied for sixth in the country at 9.76 steals per contest through Monday.

3. The Bulldogs swept the two-game season series from LSU last season, but the Tigers hold a 35-15 advantage in home games.

PREDICTION: LSU 83, Georgia 67