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Georgia Bulldogs: Frontcourt issues continue to hurt Dawgs

By John Buhler

Jan 26, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs forward Kenny Paul Geno (25) reacts in the final seconds of a loss against the LSU Tigers during a a game at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. LSU defeated Georgia 89-85. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 26, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs forward Kenny Paul Geno (25) reacts in the final seconds of a loss against the LSU Tigers during a a game at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. LSU defeated Georgia 89-85. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Georgia Bulldogs may have a strong trio of backcourt starters, but inexperience in the frontcourt is holding this team back in the 2015-16 NCAA season.

After the Georgia Bulldogs’ loss to the LSU Tigers in the final seconds Tuesday night, 89-85, the Dawgs will enter their game against the Baylor Bears on Saturday in the Big 12/SEC Challenge with an 11-7 (4-4) record. While there are parts on this 2015-16 Georgia Bulldogs Men’s Basketball Team that have the feel of an NCAA Tournament caliber squad, it has been the inconsistent play in the frontcourt that has held this team back.

In truth, it was a bit expected, as three key players in the UGA frontcourt in 2014-15 are no longer with the program. Seniors Nemanja Djurisic and Marcus Thornton graduated and key reserve Cameron Forte opted to transfer at the end of the season.

It has left a void in Mark Fox’s lineup construction that the Georgia Bulldogs just haven’t been able to overcome in SEC play. Five of Georgia’s seven losses have been by less than 10 points, including two in conference play to Ole Miss and LSU.

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These slimmest of margins in their defeats can come down to not being able to close out games in the paint in the second half, especially when the Dawgs get in foul trouble.

To combat the overall youth and inexperience in the UGA frontcourt, head coach Mark Fox has recently gone with a starting lineup that features all three of its star guards: junior J.J. Frazier, senior Kenny Gaines, and senior Charles Mann.

While sophomore power forward Yante Maten has been nothing less than sensational on the inside for Georgia, the team has to rely on him as well as at least one of the guys in the starting backcourt to carry the team to victory, as the Dawgs don’t have the depth to run a rotation suitable for physical SEC play.

Related Story: Georgia Bulldogs basketball: 20 wins still possible?

Tuesday night saw three of the Georgia Bulldogs’ key frontcourt players foul out before the game almost turned in UGA’s favor in the final minute at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. Freshman Mike Edwards missed the final quarter of the game and Maten fouled out with nine minutes remaining in the second half. Houston Kessler fouled out when the Dawgs were actively trying to get the Tigers to the line in the final minutes of that game.

This wide-sweeping foul trouble an inability to get points in the paint with the forwards ultimately forced Georgia’s hand to get almost all of their points with Frazier, Gaines, and Mann. While Maten is a star in the making and freshman Derek Ogbeide seems to have the raw talent to become something great for Fox, UGA can’t depend on its frontcourt in conference play and that will cost them a 20-win season and trip to the NCAA Tournament.

Not having wing Juwan Parker play has put a ton of pressure on junior wing Kenny Paul Geno as the only player on the roster that looks and feels like a small forward. It’s not that the effort isn’t there, but that closing out games for this team seems like a challenge every game.

Next: Georgia Bulldogs lose final minute thriller to LSU, 89-85

Georgia is probably still one of the best seven teams in the SEC this season, but likely only the top five will make the NCAA Tournament. As of now, UGA will be on the outside looking in.

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