It's hardly groundbreaking news that a team tied for last place in its conference is going to be found lacking in many statistical areas.
And so it is with the Bulldogs, who were joined in the basement by South Carolina, each with 1-5 conference records, after Georgia took the weekend off while the Gamecocks were losing at Ole Miss.
Two problem areas stand out for the Bulldogs: shooting and rebounding.
The Bulldogs, who are 10-10 overall, shot only 36.7 percent from the field in their first six league games, which was a league worst until Auburn went only 17-of-56 in a loss at Tennessee to fall to 36.4 percent in its seven outings.
The rebounding outlook is just as glum. In six league games, the Bulldogs have lost the boards by 8.2 a game, which surprisingly isn't as bad as Arkansas (minus-11.0 per game after being outrebounded 35-30 at Alabama).
"Certainly, rebounding is an issue for our team," coach Mark Fox told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution after the 'Dogs were outrebounded 41-26 in the loss to Kentucky. "We're playing a smaller lineup.
"We've got everybody ratcheted down one position and that's making our rebounding difficult. The fact that we take care of the basketball and we don't lose possessions there helps alleviate some of the rebounding woes that we have.
"But we need to become a more consistent defensive team."
Having lost two in a row and five of their last seven, the Bulldogs will be on the road for two games to start February, going to Auburn and then Tennessee.
Their only home appearance in the first five games of the month is Feb. 8 when Arkansas visits. That game is followed by trips to Mississippi State and South Carolina.
NOTES, QUOTES
Georgia has woes at the defensive end of the court as well as on offense. The Bulldogs allowed their first six foes in SEC play to shoot 47.9 from the field overall. Only South Carolina, which has allowed its first six opponents to shoot 50.7 percent in league play, is more generous.
Georgia was shooting 27.1 percent from three-point range in conference play going into the game at Auburn, last in the league.
Considering their problems shooting and rebounding, you have to wonder how hapless the Bulldogs might be if they weren't taking pretty good care of the basketball. They are second in turnover margin through SEC games of Jan. 28 at plus-3.00 per game. They have averaged 10.2 turnovers per game while forcing their six opponents into 13.2 per game.
THIS WEEK'S GAMES
at Auburn, Feb. 1
The Tigers have a strong rebounder in senior F Kenny Gabriel and can score from outside with junior G Frankie Sullivan. Sophomore G Chris Denson also is scoring in double figures for the Tigers.
at Tennessee, Feb. 4
F Jarnell Stokes, a 6-8 freshman, made his season debut for Tennessee in the first meeting between the two, scoring 11 points and grabbing eight rebounds as the Bulldogs pulled off the win in overtime in Athens. Stokes has since moved into the starting lineup and is averaging 10.6 points and 8.0 rebounds in his five appearances.
FUTURES MARKET
The weekend off should benefit F Marcus Thornton, who has returned to the court after missing three games with a knee injury.
PLAYER NOTES
Freshman G Kentavious Caldwell-Pope was averaging 15.0 points in his first six conference games, which ranked sixth in the league through Saturday.
Senior G Gerald Robinson (13.4 overall, 12.5 in league play) was the only Bulldog besides Kentavious Caldwell-Pope averaging in double figures through Saturday.
QUOTE TO NOTE
"Our defense has to become more consistent. Our second-half defense was better than our first. That's something we have to establish." -- Coach Mark Fox, in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, after Georgia's loss at home to Kentucky.
