Delaware State @ Georgia preview

Last Meeting ( Dec 30, 2011 ) Delaware State 51, Georgia 58

Georgia won its first two games and freshman Anthony Edwards has been as splendid as anticipated, but with Friday’s home contest against Delaware State being the last before the tough part of its schedule begins, coach Tom Crean wants more commitment to rebounding. The Bulldogs were outrebounded 43-36 in Tuesday’s 95-86 victory over The Citadel, illustrating Crean’s desire to see better results not just from his frontcourt, but every Georgia player on the floor.

“We’re not physically aggressive yet,” Crean told reporters after Tuesday’s victory. “We’re not urgent enough on the glass yet. If we’re going to shore up and be able to compete, we’ve got to have a team defensive rebounding mindset with five guys being in that paint.” After Friday, the Bulldogs host in-state rival Georgia Tech on Wednesday before heading to the Maui Invitational, where they will face Dayton on Nov. 25 followed by a matchup against either No. 1-ranked Michigan State or Virginia Tech the next day. Edwards certainly will be a focal point no matter the opposition, as the freshman followed up his 24-point debut with 29 on Tuesday. The Hornets are winless through two games, giving up the game’s first 13 points in an 85-74 road loss Tuesday to Manhattan.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, SEC Network Plus

ABOUT DELAWARE STATE (0-2): The Hornets closed within five points of Manhattan midway through the first half and again in the opening two minutes of the second half, but fell four days after losing their season opener at home to Rider 81-54. Senior guard John Crosby and sophomore guard John Stansbury each average 13 points to share the team lead in scoring, and Stansbury is shooting 9-for-14 from the field. Junior swingman Lance Singh III averages 10.5 points off the bench, scoring a team-high 16 points and hitting four 3-pointers in the Manhattan loss.

ABOUT GEORGIA (2-0): Six Bulldogs scored in double figures against The Citadel, including three players who weren’t with the program last season: Edwards, Northeastern transfer guard Donnell Gresham Jr. (13 points) and freshman guard Sahvir Wheeler (10 points). Junior forward Rayshaun Hammonds finished with 10 points and nine rebounds, while senior guard Tyree Crump scored 13 despite hitting just 2-of-11 attempts from 3-point range. After committing 15 turnovers in the season opener, the Bulldogs recorded only eight miscues Tuesday.

TIP-INS

1. Georgia sophomore F Amanze Ngumezi matched a career high with 10 points Tuesday.

2. Wheeler has played point guard in the first two games and leads the team with 11 assists (eight on Tuesday).

3. Edwards is 17-for-39 from the field and 6-for-16 from 3-point range, and his 53 points is the most by a Georgia player through two games in program history.

PREDICTION: Georgia 88, Delaware State 65