Hoping to Continue their 10-Game Win Streak, the UGA Plays No. 5 Tennessee

UGA plays No. 5 Tennessee at home at noon Saturday the 13th.

Athens, GA – At 12 PM today, the Georgia Bulldogs will face their highest-ranked opponent this season when they play against the No. 5 Tennessee Volunteers for their third SEC game of the season. The Dawgs are currently 2-0 in conference and 12-3 overall, as well as on a 10-game win streak both overall and at Stegeman. After suffering a road loss to Mississippi St. this Wednesday, Tennessee (UTK) is 11-4 and 1-1 in the SEC.

With their win against Arkansas this previous Wednesday, the Dawgs are on their longest win streak since the ‘47-’48 season (10 games). The Arkansas game saw a new season point leader for the Dawgs; Noah Thomasson surpassed Jabri Abdur-Rahim and now leads the team, averaging 12.7 points per game. Abdur-Rahim is not far behind, however, with 12.3 points per game. Abdur-Rahim also leads the team in free throw percentage, 88.6%, and 3-point percentage, 41.3%. While Abdur-Rahim has led for the majority of the season and has been an important offensive factor for UGA, Thomasson has been more productive as of late and will be a key factor for the Dawgs tonight. Another offensive threat for UGA can be found in senior guard Justin Hill. Hill has gone for back-to-back scoring season highs, putting up 16 last weekend against Missouri and 19 against Arkansas. Hill is now averaging 9.7 points per game and is the team’s leading distributor, averaging 3.2 per game.

UGA’s bench has also been a huge factor for the Dawgs offensively. Georgia's reserves are averaging 30.4 points per game, and the Dawgs are ranked 22nd nationally in bench scoring. With the contributions from their starters and the bench, UGA is averaging 75.4 points per game.

Jan 10, 2024; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs guard Jabri Abdur-Rahim (1) reacts after Georgia defeated the Arkansas Razorbacks at Stegeman Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports / IMAGN

On the defensive side of the ball for the Dawgs, graduate student Russel Tchewa has been the rebounds leader, averaging 6.7 per game. Freshman Silas Demary Jr. and junior RJ Melendez follow behind Tchewa, each averaging 4.7 rebounds per game. Demary Jr. also leads the Dawgs’ in steals, averaging 1.5 per game.

Despite their most recent 77-72 loss, Tennessee has played very well this season. They have wins against two ranked opponents (No. 20 Illinois and No. 22 Ole Miss) and, except for Mississippi State, have only lost to top 10 teams (No. 1 Purdue, No. 3 Kansas, and No. 7 North Carolina).

UTK as a whole is averaging 78.3 points per game and has four players with over 10 ppg. Senior guard Dalton Knecht leads the pack, averaging 15.9 ppg. Knecht is trailed by junior forward Jonas Aidoo (11.3 ppg), senior guard Josiah-Jordan James (10.5 ppg), and junior guard Zakai Zeigler (10.0 ppg). Knecht also just put up 28 against Mississippi St. this past Wednesday and is shooting 46.3% from field goal range. James and Adioo are the top two rebounders for the Volunteers, putting up an average of 7.0 and 6.9 rebounds, respectively. Zeigler is Tennesee's assist leader, with an average of 5.1 per game.

For Tennessee, a win would get them back on track and be a rebound for their loss earlier this week. A win tonight would be a standout win for the Dawgs. They have yet to beat a ranked opponent and will need to do so to be in contention for national ranking at this point in the season. Plus, continuing the win streak and opening the SEC 3-0 would be one of the best performances the Dawgs have put up in recent seasons. 

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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