Tennessee basketball’s next task is similar to its last.
Fresh off a ranked win in the frozen tundra of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, the Vols will look to extend their winning streak to two games. Stegeman Coliseum is the site of Tennessee (13-6, 3-3 SEC) and Georgia on Wednesday — a day later than originally anticipated.
The Bulldogs (16-4, 4-3), under head coach Mike White, bring a pace-dictating offense to the table. They rank No. 1 in the country, scoring 93.5 points per game. Georgia takes 67 shots a night and ranks sixth in free throws per game.
“I feel like they play a little bit more like Alabama,” center Felix Okpara said. “They want to play fast. I think they rank (top) in the country in pace, and how fast they score. And I think they also have really good guards. Good bigs. I think it’s going to be key for us to turn down transition points and make them play in a half-court.”
Georgia’s backcourt is complemented by a pair of familiar names.
Jeremiah Wilkinson leads in scoring with 17.7 points per night on 43% shooting from the field and 37% from deep. He transferred in from Cal, where assistant coach Amorrow Morgan spent time last season.
“Efficiency,” Morgan said. “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 taking better shots. So, I would say that’s a big area that he’s really, really improved.”
Knoxville native Blue Cain has emerged as his counterpart. The 6-foot-5 Knoxville Catholic product averages 13.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game.
It is other aspects of the game that allow Georgia to run an efficient offense, though. The Bulldogs reel in 12.2 offensive rebounds per game, and average a nation-best 7.2 blocks per outing.
That is in respects to one-time Chattanooga import Somto Cyril. The 6-foot-11 Nigerian leads the team with 6.2 rebounds and 2.9 blocks each night on the floor.
“Somto is a very very good player,” Okpara said. “Good shot blocker, good rebounder. I think this year, he’s just getting more opportunities this year and he has good guards to play with him this year. And also, I think for us coming to this game, we just got to limit the amount of points and touches he gets and also just keep him off the offensive glass.”
An important challenge awaits for the inconsistent Vols. The road win over Alabama saw Tennessee turn the ball over 10 times — the fewest in an SEC game this season.
Ja’Kobi Gillespie will be handed the duty to carry over the success as the point man of the offense.
“We got to take care of the ball,” Morgan said. “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.”
The extra day of rest became pivotal for Jaylen Carey, who suffered an injury against Alabama. He is listed as probable on Wednesday.
Tennessee and Georgia tip off at 7 p.m. ET on SEC Network.
