By Zicpraiz As Alabama gears up to face Georgia, head coach Nate Oats is focused on shutting down Bulldogs’ standout freshman forward, Asa Newell. Newell leads Georgia in scoring with 15.2 points per game, shooting nearly 56% from the field, and averaging seven rebounds, including 3.6 on the offensive glass.
Alabama, ranked No. 4, is coming off an 88-84 win over No. 14 Mississippi State, where Josh Hubbard put up 38 points despite the Tide’s victory. Oats admitted that Alabama’s defensive preparation for Hubbard “wasn’t good enough” and emphasized the need for better execution against Newell, who poses a different challenge as a versatile forward.
“He’s one of the best freshmen in the country,” Oats said, recalling Alabama’s recruiting interest in Newell before he committed to Georgia. “He’s their primary scoring option, and they’re force-feeding him in the post. We have to guard him.”
Georgia, despite a 3-5 SEC record, had a strong non-conference performance and was ranked in the top 25 earlier this season for the first time in 14 years. The Bulldogs also excel in offensive rebounding, ranking in the top 15 nationally.
Alabama’s three-point shooting was key in its recent win, hitting 48% from beyond the arc. However, Georgia has been strong in perimeter defense, holding opponents to just 28.3% from three-point range, one of the lowest in Division I. This could force Alabama to rely more on inside scoring in Saturday’s matchup.
The Crimson Tide aims to improve its performance at home after recent struggles and will need to be ready for a tough challenge against a competitive Georgia team.