Buffalo Bulls vs. Georgia Bulldogs Can the Bulls Bounce Back in Athens?
Buffalo Bulls vs. Georgia Bulldogs: Can Buffalo End Their Road Struggles?
On Thursday night, college basketball fans are treated to an intriguing non-conference showdown at Stegeman Coliseum, where the Buffalo Bulls (5-5, 6-2-0 ATS) will battle the 9-1 Georgia Bulldogs (6-4-0 ATS) at 7:00 p.m. EST. These teams haven’t squared off since 1976, making this a rare meeting. With both programs facing different sets of challenges, this game will offer key insights into how each team is shaping up as they approach the heart of the season.
Can Buffalo Overcome Their Road Woes?
The Buffalo Bulls are coming off a tough 65-55 loss to St. Bonaventure, which extended their road losing streak to four games. In fact, Buffalo has struggled to find its footing away from home, and Thursday’s game marks another difficult road test. With only two of their next six games being played at home, this is a crucial stretch for the Bulls to regain their form before they enter the thick of the conference schedule.
Despite their struggles, Buffalo has a standout offensive weapon in Ryan Sabol, who is averaging 18.1 points per game and is ranked 65th nationally in scoring. The Bulls are known for their fast-paced play, ranking highly in scoring at 76.1 points per game, but they face challenges in other areas. Buffalo shoots 45.5% from the field, but their 30.7% shooting from beyond the arc and 69.3% free throw rate leave much to be desired. They also have a tendency to turn the ball over, averaging 15 per game.
Defensively, Buffalo has struggled this season, ranking 324th out of 364 teams in KenPom’s defensive efficiency rankings. The Bulls allow 78.2 points per game and have been vulnerable to both inside and outside shooting, with opponents hitting 44% of their field goals and 36.2% of their three-pointers. However, Buffalo has shown some improvement in recent games, limiting opponents to fewer points and forcing turnovers. Their defense will need to show up in a big way if they want to compete against a formidable Georgia team.
Georgia Bulldogs Looking to Bounce Back on Offense
Georgia has enjoyed a solid start to the season, with a 9-1 record, but their lone defeat came at the hands of a top-10 team. Most recently, the Bulldogs defeated Grand Canyon 73-68, and they remain one of the toughest defensive teams in the nation, ranking 26th in KenPom’s defensive efficiency. Georgia’s defense has been suffocating, allowing just 64.8 points per game, including 61.3 points per game on their home court. Their opponents shoot a mere 38.6% from the field and just 27.3% from three-point range. In addition to limiting scoring, the Bulldogs have excelled in forcing turnovers, averaging 12.6 per game.
However, Georgia’s offense has been inconsistent recently. The Bulldogs have struggled to put up big numbers, failing to reach 75 points in four of their last five games. Their scoring average has dropped to 81.4 points per game. While they shoot a solid 50.1% from the field, Georgia’s three-point shooting is a bit shaky at 34.0%, and they have been prone to turnovers, averaging 14.2 per game. This is an area they’ll need to improve if they want to secure a commanding win against a Buffalo team that has been difficult to predict.
Georgia’s offensive struggles have come despite a solid inside game. They average 12.3 offensive rebounds per game and hit 73.6% of their free throws. The Bulldogs will likely need to increase their scoring output to keep up with Buffalo’s fast-paced attack, and the game could hinge on whether their offense can break free from its recent slump.
Conclusion
As the Bulldogs look to bounce back on offense, their defense remains one of the best in the country. Expect Georgia to rely on their defense to stifle Buffalo’s scoring attack. However, Buffalo’s ability to put up points in a hurry could make this game closer than expected. The spread could be tight, but Georgia’s overall depth and defensive prowess should see them through in the end.
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