Tennessee basketball is back on the road Wednesday night as they travel to Athens to face Georgia. The Vols have won five straight against the Bulldogs and are looking to expand that winning streak while earning their second road win of the season.
Here’s everything to know about the matchup from the broadcast details to the betting odds and much more.
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How to Watch — Tennessee (13-6, 3-3 SEC) at Georgia (16-4, 4-3 SEC)
- Start Time: 7 p.m. ET/6 p.m. CT
- Location: Stegeman Coliseum
- Watch: SEC Network PxP: John Schriffen, CC: Daymeon Fishback
- Online Streaming: WatchESPN
- Radio (Knoxville): The Vol Network/The Vol Network App
- Vol Network radio crew: PxP: Mike Keith, CC: John Wilkerson
Betting Odds
- Georgia -1.5 Tennessee
- Over/under 157.5
- Georgia -1 Tennessee
- Over/under 159
Probable Starters
Tennessee (via UT Game Notes):
Georgia (via UGA Game Notes):
What Tennessee AC Amorrow Morgan Said About The Bulldogs
On how important it is to dictate pace against Georgia
“It’s going to be, obviously, an emphasis. We’re always going to want to control the pace of the game, right? Like, obviously, some of our best offense is just second shot offense, or just being able to get offensive rebounds and put the ball back in. Like, if we’re able to score, obviously, that’s going to slow them down. Keeping them out of transition. And then obviously a thing that we’ve struggled with which is taking care of the ball, which we did a great job in the game against Alabama, only having 10 turnovers in that game. Just trying to make sure that we have the focus necessary to do the same. They’re going to try to press us and pressure us and trap ball screens occasionally and try to do some things to speed you up. Obviously, we’ve had some moments where, or we’ve had some games, where we hadn’t been able to really take care of the basketball. So taking care of the ball, making sure that we dominate the glass. Then making sure that we do what we do, what we execute, and that’s one thing I thought Ja’Kobi Gillespie did incredible. He did a great job against Alabama. He had a late turnover there, but just his focus and valuing the ball and trying to make sure that we got a good shot or a shot every single possession. You can just tell in the huddles, our team, our guys, they were just talking about, fellas, we got to take care of the ball. We got to take care of the ball. Knowing that that’s been somewhat of an Achilles heel for us. So as we continue to keep improving in that area, it’s going to really help us make sure that we do control the pace in tomorrow night’s game.”
On coaching Georgia guard Jeremiah Wilkinson at Cal last season, what areas he’s seen him prove this season
“Efficiency. I think, you know, everyone can see that just by looking at the numbers and analytics. He’s always been a really good shooter, but just, you know, taking better shots. So, you know, I would say that’s a big area that he’s really, really improved. That’s my guy. I got a great relationship with him. You know, he’ll reach out to me even when he probably shouldn’t. He’ll reach out to me every now and then and try to, like, make jokes about what he’s gonna do or whatever it might be. So our guys will be ready for him. So it’ll be fun to be able to compete against him for sure.”
On if it’s tough watching film of Wilkinson and not being on the same team
“No, it’s what the game is these days. Just with the transfer portal. Like I know, Alex (Schwartz) made a joke that, you know, we played against somebody I coached every month. So with me having been at different spots, it’s kind of what goes on in the profession now. If someone feels that there’s a better opportunity elsewhere, they’re looking for a different home, and with they’re being said, you know, you end up playing against somebody that you do love, but at the at the same time, when you’re competing and you’re in between those lines, we’re all trying to win.”
Where They Land In The Rankings
Tennessee:
- AP Poll: NR
- Coaches Poll: NR
- KenPom: No. 20
- Bart Torvik: No. 18
- EvanMiya: No. 21
Georgia:
- AP Poll: NR
- Coaches Poll: NR
- KenPom: No. 33
- Bart Torvik: No. 36
- EvanMiya: No. 32
Team Stats (via KenPom)
Tennessee:
Georgia:
Stat Leaders
Tennessee:
Points: Ja’Kobi Gillespie — 18.6 PPG, 42.5 FG%, 35.1 3PT%
Rebounds: Jaylen Carey — 6.4 RPG, 3.3 DRPG, 3.1 ORPG
Assists: Ja’Kobi Gillespie — 5.5 APG, 2.6 TOPG, 33.4 MPG
Georgia:
Points: Jeremiah Wilkinson — 17.7 PPG, 43.1 FG%, 37.4 3PT%
Rebounds: Somto Cyril — 6.2 RPG, 3.4 DRPG, 2.8 ORPG
Assists: Marcus Millender — 3.5 APG, 2 TOPG, 23.8 MPG
Last Five Games
Tennessee:
- 78-73 win at Alabama
- 80-78 loss versus Kentucky
- 87-82 win versus Texas A&M (2OT)
- 91-67 loss at Florida
- 85-71 win versus Texas
Georgia:
- 87-67 loss at Texas
- 74-72 win at Missouri
- 90-76 win versus Arkansas
- 97-95 loss versus Ole Miss (Overtime)
- 75-70 win at South Carolina
Prediction
This is a real style clash as Tennessee wants to turn this into a half court game while Georgia wants to get up-and-down and turn it into a track meet. The Vols have fared well in those games this season, routing Louisville at home and knocking off Alabama in Tuscaloosa.
We’ve type this a lot this season but this is a game that will be all about Tennessee’s ability to limit turnovers while controlling the glass. Georgia forces a good deal of turnovers and uses them to get out and run in transition. But the Bulldogs rank last in the SEC in defensive rebounding through the first 3.5 weeks of conference play. It’s a true battle of strength versus weakness on both fronts.
This game feels close to a toss up. But I need to see a bit more consistency from Tennessee to trust them to go on the road and pick up a second straight big win. Georgia wins a tight game.
*Bonus note: This is another solid matchup for Nate Ament. Think he could stack a second straight 25-plus point performance
Georgia 78, Tennessee 74
