Georgia Bulldogs Basketball Preview 2014-2015

Georgia Bulldogs guard Kenny Gaines (12) and guard Charles Mann (4) react after a foul call against the Kentucky Wildcats during the second half in the semifinals of the SEC college basketball tournament at Georgia Dome. Kentucky defeated Georgia 70-58. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Backcourt

The Georgia Bulldogs are, unquestionably, led by their veteran duo in the backcourt. Charles Mann and Kenny Gaines were the two leading scorers for the Dawgs last season, averaging 13.9 and 13.0 points per game respectively, and both players are back for their junior seasons. Mann shot only 41% from the floor last season, but he is the better passer of the two (i.e. leading UGA in assists), and his counterpart, Gaines, has a bit of a cloud surrounding him as the season opens.

The 6-foot-3 Gaines has missed the last few weeks of practice and the opening exhibition game as a result of Mononucleosis, and with that obviously posing an issue, his status for the opener against Georgia Tech is up in the air. Still, Gaines is easily the most explosive shooter on the roster, knocking down 37.5% of 4.8 three-point attempts per game a year ago, and if Mark Fox is to direct this group to a big jump, it will be on the backs of Mann and Gaines.

Behind them, Juwan Parker and J.J. Frazier should see the great majority of bench minutes at the guard spots. Parker, a 6-foot-4 shooting guard from Tulsa, played nearly 18 minutes per game last season despite disastrous shooting numbers (29.2% FG, 19% 3-PT), and Frazier came on near the end of the season as a 5-foot-10 sparkplug to provide athleticism and energy in a reserve role.

Next: Frontcourt