Georgia Men's Basketball: Will They Triumph Over Temple?

will georgia men basketball beat temple

The Georgia Bulldogs men's basketball team took on the Temple Owls in Philadelphia on November 13, 2018. The Bulldogs went into the game with a 1-0 record, having beaten the Savannah State University Tigers 110-76. Tom Crean's first regular-season game away from Stegeman Coliseum as Georgia's head coach was against an unbeaten Temple side with a 2-0 record.

Characteristics Values
Date of the game November 13, 2018
Time of the game 7:00 p.m. ET
Venue Liacouras Center, Philadelphia
Where to watch ESPN3, WatchESPN app
Where to listen WSB 750 AM
Georgia's previous record Beat Savannah State 110-76
Temple's previous record 2-0
Georgia's key players William "Turtle" Jackson, Teshaun Hightower, Rayshaun Hammonds, Nicolas Claxton, Derek Ogbeide
Temple's key players Shizz Alston Jr., Quinton Rose, Nate Pierre-Lewis
Georgia's season record 1-0
Temple's season record 2-0

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Georgia's offensive strategy

Crean's strategy focuses on utilizing the strengths of individual players rather than adhering to traditional positional constraints. This was particularly important in the game against Temple, where Georgia's big men, Nicolas Claxton and Derek Ogbeide, played a crucial role in defending against agile guards. The position-less approach allows for more flexibility and adaptability on the court, enabling players to make the most of their skills and create opportunities.

Additionally, Georgia's offensive system under Crean values ball movement and player versatility. By sharing the ball and utilizing the skills of multiple players, the team can create high-percentage scoring opportunities. This strategy also helps to keep the defense guessing, as the focus is not solely on one or two primary scorers. The Bulldogs' ability to move the ball effectively and make precise passes is key to executing this offensive strategy successfully.

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Temple's best players

The Georgia Bulldogs men's basketball team took on Temple University in November 2018. At the time, Temple's best players included Shizz Alston Jr., Quinton Rose, and Nate Pierre-Lewis. Alston Jr., in particular, was a formidable opponent, scoring 21.5 points per game.

Temple University is known for its basketball program and has produced numerous athletes who have left a lasting impact on the sport. Eddie Jones, Aaron McKie, and Mark Macon are considered some of Temple's all-time greats. Jones was recognised for his outstanding defensive prowess and explosive scoring, receiving national recognition as a Consensus Second Team All-American in 1994. He was also selected for the first-team All-Atlantic 10 three times, showcasing his leadership and all-around game.

Macon was a highly skilled guard who joined the Temple Owls after being heavily recruited in 1987. He quickly became a dominant force, leading the team to deep NCAA Tournament runs. Known for his intensity and exceptional scoring ability, Macon earned numerous accolades, including NABC First Team All-American in 1991 and Atlantic 10 Player of the Year in 1990. He is the all-time leading scorer in Temple's basketball history, setting the standard for future players.

Aaron McKie also left his mark on Temple's basketball program. He was known for his tenacious defensive play and offensive versatility, earning him several accolades during his time at the university.

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Georgia's defensive strategy

Georgia's men's basketball team has had its fair share of successes, but the game against Temple in 2018 was a setback. The Bulldogs had a strong start to the season, beating Savannah State 110-76, but they faced challenges en route to Philadelphia, with their plane skidding off the runway.

Georgia's coach, Tom Crean, has advocated for a position-less style of basketball on the offensive end. This strategy seemed to work in their season opener, with five players finishing in double figures. However, against Temple, the Bulldogs struggled with turnovers, giving up the ball 23 times in the season opener and 20 times against Temple, leading to 22 points for the opposing team.

To win against Temple, Georgia needed to maintain their position-less mentality defensively. Big men Nicolas Claxton and Derek Ogbeide had to adapt to defending agile guards. Temple's top players, Shizz Alston Jr., Quinton Rose, and Nate Pierre-Lewis, posed a significant challenge. Alston Jr., in particular, was scoring at an impressive 21.5 points per game.

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Georgia's previous performance

The Georgia Bulldogs men's basketball team has had a long history of successes since its establishment in 1905. The team has competed in the Southeastern Conference since 1932 and has amassed a record of 1,434–1,319 as of 2020. While the basketball team has historically been overshadowed by the school's football program, the Bulldogs have had notable achievements, including a trip to the NCAA Final Four in 1983 under head coach Hugh Durham.

Former NBA star Dominique Wilkins is considered the greatest player in the school's history. In 1982, the Bulldogs reached the NIT Final Four, defeating Temple, Maryland, and Virginia Tech before losing to Purdue at Madison Square Garden. This marked the beginning of a postseason streak of eight straight seasons, the longest in Georgia basketball history. The 1997 season was also a standout year for the Bulldogs, finishing with a record of 23–9 (10–6) and winning the Rainbow Classic holiday tournament in Hawaii.

In more recent years, the Bulldogs have continued to perform well. In 2018, under the leadership of head coach Tom Crean, the team defeated the Savannah State University Tigers 110-76 in their season opener. This was followed by a road game against Temple, where the Bulldogs faced their first setback of the season, losing to Temple after their team plane skidded off the runway on the way to Philadelphia. Despite this setback, the Bulldogs showed promise with five players finishing in double figures, including sophomore Teshaun Hightower with 18 points and Nicolas Claxton with 15 points and 13 rebounds.

Overall, the Georgia Bulldogs men's basketball team has a rich history of achievements, with a strong foundation built upon by consistent performances year after year. The team has experienced both triumphs and setbacks, but they continue to be a competitive force in collegiate basketball.

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How to watch the game

The Georgia Bulldogs men's basketball team is set to play against the Temple Owls in Philadelphia. The game will take place at the Liacouras Center and will start at 7:00 p.m. ET.

If you're a Georgia fan wanting to watch the game, you have several options. You can tune in to ESPN3 or use the WatchESPN app to stream the game live. If you prefer listening to the game on the radio, you can tune in to WSB 750 AM, with Scott Howard and Chuck Dowdle on the call.

For those who want to watch the game in person, you can purchase tickets online or at the Liacouras Center box office. The Liacouras Center is located on the campus of Temple University in Philadelphia.

After the game against Temple, the Bulldogs will return home to host Sam Houston State before heading to the Cayman Islands for the Thanksgiving holidays to participate in the Cayman Island Classic.

Frequently asked questions

As of 2020, the Bulldogs have amassed a record of 1,434–1,319.

The game will be held on Tuesday, November 13, 2018, at 7:00 p.m. ET.

The game will be played in Liacouras Center in Philadelphia.

You can watch the game on ESPN3 or listen to it on the radio on WSB 750 AM.

Georgia beat Savannah State 110-76, while Temple is 2-0 on the season.

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