The Big Blue Lowdown

Kentucky will open up SEC play today with an interesting test against the Georgia Bulldogs.

Suiting up what is probably the SEC’s least talented roster, the Dawgs have shown renewed scrappiness and confidence under first-year coach Mark Fox. While the Bulldogs are clearly outmanned from a personnel standpoint, this is a team UK cannot overlook, judging by Georgia’s recent ability to overachieve in wins over Illinois and Georgia Tech.

A Closer Look at the Dawgs

UGA will run a triangle offense of sorts, where they will attempt to space out Kentucky’s defense and look for open passing lanes as players constantly cut from the wing and baseline into the lane. The offense uses a lot of pick and pops or pick and rolls and attempts to get easy baskets without relying heavily on dribble penetration.

In Georgia’s case, the primary offensive option is Trey Thompkins, a 6-8 sophomore with a great face up game. Thompkins will receive entry passes at the high post, and the Dawgs will run their triangle through him. He can beat you with a mid range jumper and possesses good vision to hit players cutting to the hoop off of back screens. Georgia will also rely on high-flying 6-5 sophomore Travis Leslie, a very raw player with incredible hops and ability to finish up close.

Outside of those two, Georgia doesn’t have a whole lot of secondary offensive options and won’t do anything spectacular to get baskets. PG Dustin Ware is quick and a decent ballhandler, while former walk-on SG Ricky McPhee is dangerous from deep range. UGA will rotate a trio of big guys with limited offensive skills but enough size to eat up space and clog Kentucky’s driving lanes.

BBL Take

This is not a scary team player by player and shouldn’t be a serious threat to a stacked UK squad that is beginning to unleash a championship swagger. But Fox has proved to be an excellent coach, keeping his players under control and coming up with good set plays out of timeouts.

The Dawgs will try to slow it down and work the clock deep in every half court possession. They’ll go to Thompkins early and often and hope to catch Kentucky’s young defenders napping on the back screens and baseline cuts. On the other side of the ball, one has to think Georgia will use Rick Pitino’s blueprint and zone up the Cats while subbing a lot of bodies in the post to keep their legs fresh and compete on the glass.

It’s hard to imagine them taking out Kentucky at Rupp, but then again the Cats could be forgiven if they show signs of an emotional hangover after the prize fight last weekend vs. Louisville.

Ultimately, we think the difference will be Georgia’s moribund offense and, surprise, too much John Wall and overall athleticism on the wing. Expect a 20 to 25 point beating in what could quickly become a conference trend every time the Cats play teams with undersized backcourts.