Scouting report: What to know about Georgia ahead of matchup with Auburn

Auburn basketball has proven its No. 1 ranking through its first four conference games.

Now the Tigers will be battle-tested this weekend on the road at no. 23 in Georgia.

At 16-1 overall and 4-0 in SEC play, Auburn will still be without leading scorer Johni Broome, who missed the last game with an ankle injury suffered against South Carolina.

Here’s a closer look at Georgia:

The season so far

Georgia enters this game with a 14-3 record, dropping two conference games to Ole Miss and Tennessee.

Their best wins this season come in back-to-back conference wins over then-No. 6 Kentucky and no. 17 Oklahoma.

The Bulldogs are also number 37 KenPom’s efficiency rankings.

Players to watch

Freshman Asa Newell leads Georgia in points and rebounds, averaging 15.3 points and 6.6 rebounds. The freshman wing is shooting 57.8% from the floor.

The Bulldogs backcourt is led by Silas Demary Jr. averaging 11.9 points, 2.9 assists and 1.7 steals. Four of the Georgia starters are averaging double-digit point totals.

The key to the game

Remains aggressive on defense

Georgia is averaging 78.5 points and 38.7 rebounds per game.

Bruce Pearl raved about the Tigers defense in the last contest against Mississippi State. The battle in the backcourts will be a key factor in who gets the edge over the opposition.

“Look again at the matchup Denver Jones has. (Josh Hubbard) is as good as there is in this league. And it’s the second time now — the SEC Tournament,” Pearl said. “Now here — and Denver locked onto him pretty well and did an excellent job once again.”

Auburn and Georgia meet on Saturday, January 18th. Tipoff is scheduled for 12 on the SEC Network.