By Martha 
Georgia’s men’s basketball team, led by Coach Michael White, started the season strong, ranking in the top 50 nationwide for both scoring and defense during non-conference games.hey had seven players logging at least 20 minutes per game, with five of them averaging double-digit points. owever, as they’ve entered SEC play, their offense has hit a rough patch, resulting in a 3-5 conference record.espite these challenges, freshman forward Asa Newell has been a consistent standout.e’s leading the team with 15.2 points per game, shooting nearly 56% from the field, and grabbing seven rebounds per game, including 3.6 on the offensive end. ewell’s impressive performance hasn’t gone unnoticed.e’s tied with Alabama guard Labaron Philon for the most SEC Freshman of the Week awards, each earning three.labama’s head coach, Nate Oats, praised Newell, calling him “one of the best freshmen in the country.”ats noted that while Newell can shoot from outside—having made between 13 to 16 three-pointers in 21 games—he primarily excels in the paint.ats emphasized the need for his team to prepare diligently to defend against Newell, acknowledging that Georgia often focuses their offense through him in the post. ats also highlighted Georgia’s strength in offensive rebounding, ranking them in the top 15 nationally.e cautioned that despite their current SEC record, the Bulldogs remain a formidable team.eflecting on Alabama’s recent home performances, Oats stressed the importance of being ready to play, especially considering Georgia’s defensive prowess in limiting opponents to just 28.3% shooting from three-point range, one of the best marks in Division I. iven these factors, Alabama might look to score more in the paint during their upcoming matchup against Georgia.