Webster’s Dictionary describes schizophrenia as behavior that appears to be motivated by contradictory or conflicting principles. That definition fits the Georgia Bulldogs.
Saturday at noon, Mississippi State will find out whether they will play against the Georgia team which has beaten Georgia Tech, who was ranked third at the time, and Kentucky, who was ranked fifth, or the Georgia team who lost to Tennessee by 24 and Winthrop by 20.
Georgia (9-6, 1-3 SEC) followed up its upset road victory over Kentucky last Saturday by dropping an ugly 45-42 decision to Alabama Wednesday night.
The Bulldogs shot less than 33 percent from the field and committed 19 turnovers.
The Bulldogs inconsistency can be linked to the academic scandal that occurred there last year which involved a class taught by one of the assistant coaches that several of the players made A’s in despite not attending. This led to Georgia forfeiting their NCAA tournament bid and the departures of the coaching staff and several players.
Mississippi State coach Rick Stansbury said that despite Georgia’s inconsistency, he expects a tough opponent Saturday afternoon at Humphrey Coliseum.
“If you ever keep those guys in the game I think they’ve proven that they’re as tough as any team in the league,” Stansbury said. “I expect a tough game with them on Saturday.”
Despite losing several players from last year’s team, new UGA coach Dennis Felton has quality starters. Four of Georgia’s five starters average double digits with Rashad Wright leading the way with 14.5 points per game.
Their big man inside, Chris Daniels, averages 9.7 rebounds per game to go along with his 10.1 points.
However, the Bulldogs lack depth. Their leading scorer off the bench, Steve Newman is only averaging 3.7 points per game and Georgia’s second man off the bench, Buzz Wehunt, is a walk-on freshman averaging 3.6 points per game.
While Georgia is struggling with consistency this season, there are no such problems with Mississippi State. The Bulldogs (15-1, 4-1 SEC) are rolling along like a machine.
The Dawgs are coming off two impressive wins on the road, winning at LSU and Florida. Mississippi State held a clinic against Florida. They easily broke the Gators’ press again and again, which led to easy baskets en route to the 79-68 victory.
“We’re not an easy team to trap,” Stansbury said in The Clarion Ledger.
“We’ve got some guys who can spread you out with the dribble or the shot. You have to pick your poison (on defense).”
Lawrence Roberts is the Bulldogs leading scorer and rebounder, averaging a double double per game with 16.5 points and 10.8 rebounds. He is coming off a 21 point, 14 rebound performance against the Gators.
The match up between he and Daniels will be a key in determining who will win the game.