Georgia Looks to Snap Skid Against LSU in Baton Rouge
After a full week off, Georgia basketball hits the road with a chance to reset and regroup. The Bulldogs, sitting at 16-6 overall and 4-5 in SEC play, are looking to stop the bleeding after a three-game skid-their longest losing streak of the season. They'll get that opportunity Saturday night in Baton Rouge against an LSU team that's had its own struggles in conference play.
The Tigers (14-8, 2-7 SEC) may be near the bottom of the league standings, but this isn’t a game Georgia can take lightly. LSU is coming off an overtime win at South Carolina and, like Georgia, hasn’t played since Jan.
- Both teams should be rested, and both are hungry-just for different reasons.
Georgia’s Focus: Rebounding, Shot Selection, and a Spark
If there’s a theme to Georgia’s preparation this week, it’s been about getting back to the basics-defensive rebounding and smarter shot selection. Head coach Mike White hasn’t ruled out shaking up the starting lineup, and with how things have gone lately, that wouldn’t be a surprise.
According to guard Jordan Ross, the Bulldogs just wrapped up two of their best practices of the season. That’s not just coach-speak. Georgia has been putting in the work to clean up areas that have cost them games.
One glaring issue? Defensive rebounding.
Georgia ranks 335th nationally in that department, per Barttorvik.com. That’s not a typo.
It’s been a consistent problem, and White has made it clear the team needs to show more grit on the glass.
“Our guys play hard. That said, we’ve got to play even harder,” White said. “We’ve just got to find a way to finish stops with defensive rebounds collectively.”
It’s not just about effort, though. Georgia’s also been trying to recalibrate its shot selection.
The Bulldogs rank 13th in the SEC in three-point shooting percentage during league play (31.6%), yet they’ve hoisted up the fourth-most threes. That’s not exactly a winning formula.
“We’re just trying to find ‘A’ shots,” Ross explained. “Open shots, paint touches that lead to kick-outs. The whole iso thing, jacking it up with 24 seconds left on the shot clock-we’re trying to get away from that.”
Baton Rouge Hasn’t Been Kind to the Bulldogs
If history is any indication, Georgia will have to earn this one. They’ve lost five straight games in Baton Rouge, although the last trip was a nail-biter-a one-point loss on Feb. 27, 2024, in White’s only game at LSU as Georgia’s head coach.
This time around, LSU will be without their leading scorer and floor general, Dedan Thomas, who’s missing his seventh game of the season due to a foot injury. That absence has forced the Tigers to go big, literally. Without Thomas, LSU leans into a larger lineup that brings size and defensive pressure.
“They’re another high-level, high defensive level team like these teams are in our league,” White said.
Even without Thomas, LSU isn’t short on weapons. Guard Max Mackinnon has been steady all season, averaging 14.6 points while shooting over 40% from deep. And 6-foot-10 Mississippi State transfer Mike Nwoko has provided a strong interior presence, putting up 14.4 points and 5.5 boards per game.
Injury Update: Cyril Cleared to Go
There was some uncertainty surrounding Georgia center Somto Cyril, who was listed as probable with an undisclosed injury on the SEC availability report Friday. But just two hours before tipoff, he was removed from the report, clearing the way for him to suit up.
Cyril’s availability could be key, especially with LSU’s size. Georgia went with a 10-man rotation in its last outing against Texas A&M, and having Cyril in the mix gives White more flexibility in the frontcourt.
Tipoff and Broadcast Info
The game is set for a 6 p.m. ET tipoff at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. Fans can catch the action on the SEC Network or stream it via FUBO (free trial available).
Looking Ahead
After Saturday’s game, Georgia returns home to face Florida on Feb. 11, followed by a road trip to Oklahoma on Valentine’s Day. Then comes a tough stretch that includes Kentucky, Texas, and South Carolina. If the Bulldogs want to stay in the thick of the SEC race and solidify their NCAA Tournament hopes, it starts with getting back in the win column in Baton Rouge.
This game isn’t just about snapping a losing streak-it’s about showing that Georgia can respond to adversity, fix the little things, and get back to the brand of basketball that had them rolling through the non-conference slate and early SEC play.