Balanced Georgia meets improving Buffalo

Field Level Media|published: Wed 18th December, 16:37 2024

Dec 3, 2024; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs forward Asa Newell (14) dunks in front of Notre Dame Fighting Irish forward Kebba Njie (14) at Stegeman Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Looking to extend their winning streak to five games and continue the program's best start to a season since 2001-02, Georgia will host Buffalo in Athens, Ga., on Thursday.

Georgia (9-1) has yet to lose at home with its lone defeat at the hands of then-No. 15 Marquette in the Bahamas on Nov. 23. For head coach Mike White, the camaraderie the roster has built has helped provide the strong start.

"We've got a pretty good balance of youth and little bit of experience," White said of this year's team. "We have length, athleticism and defensive upside, and enough offensively. Of course, we've got to stop turning the ball over. But most importantly, it's a group of kids that love being around each other, and love to work. I really, really like this team. I liked last year's team, but this is another level. ... These guys are champing at the bit to get ready for Buffalo."

Keying the stretch for the Bulldogs has been their effort on the defensive side of the ball. Georgia is allowing just 64.8 points per game while holding its opponents to 38.6 percent shooting from the field, ranking 39th and 24th in the nation, respectively.

Averaging 81.4 points per game, Georgia is led in scoring by five-star freshman Asa Newell's 16 points per contest, followed by Silas Demary Jr.'s 13 and Dakota Leffew's 12.7.

Buffalo (5-5) hasn't played since Dec. 7, when it fell at St. Bonaventure 65-55. The Bulls, under second-year head coach George Halcovage, already have surpassed last year's win total, a season that saw them finish 4-27.

Thursday marks Buffalo's final power conference opponent of the regular season, following losses at Notre Dame and Penn State. In the loss at St. Bonaventure, Halcovage appreciated the chance the team gave itself down the stretch.

"We grinded and gave ourselves a chance at the end to cut it to six with the ball and had some great looks," Halcovage said of the loss. "Just proud of our guys sticking together in a really tough environment."

Ryan Sabol paces the Bulls with 18.1 points per game, while Tyson Dunn chips in 12.2.

--Field Level Media

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