By Chris DePew
TideFans.com Staff
Feb. 6, 2019
Where to watch: Georgia (10-11, 1-7 SEC – #103 Pomeroy Rating) at Alabama (13-8, 4-4 – #48) – Today 8 p.m. Central, Coleman Coliseum, SEC Network
Who to watch: Dazon Ingram. If he’s still in the starting lineup after yet another clunker of a performance in the blowout loss to Auburn, it’s probably a combination of superstitious belief that John Petty is better coming off the bench and lack of viable options otherwise. But whether he starts or not he’s in line to get 20-25 minutes per night and he needs to start doing something with those minutes. Ingram is averaging a career-worst 7.3 points and 4.1 rebounds a game, and those averages look worse (6.25 ppg, 3.13 rpg) in conference play. Classified as a junior despite having been around since the fall of 2015, he still is too careless with the ball, prone to foul trouble and an average-at-best defender. Ingram hasn’t played well previously against Georgia but the Bulldogs are deep in rebuilding mode and this may be the best chance to restore some lost confidence.
What to watch for: Containing Nicholas Claxton. The Bulldogs don’t have a lot going for them this year, but they do have one of the league’s most improved players in the 6-foot-11 sophomore and son of former Georgia center Charles Claxton. Nicholas leads the SEC in rebounding (9.3 per game) and blocked shots (2.8 per game), and joins another forward, Rayshaun Hammonds, in scoring just under 13 points per game. UGA might have the worst backcourt in the league, but if the Dawgs do get the ball inside they have potential to cause damage. Donta Hall will need to be sharp and Bama as a team must recommit to attacking the glass after losing the rebounding battle three consecutive games.
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