Bulldogs Lead with Freshman Talent, Irish Battle Injuries
Georgia Bulldogs Host Struggling Notre Dame Fighting Irish in SEC/ACC Men’s Challenge
In the SEC/ACC Men’s Challenge, the Georgia Bulldogs (7-1) are set to face the Notre Dame Fighting Irish (4-4) on Tuesday, with both teams heading in opposite directions. While the Bulldogs have experienced early-season success, the Fighting Irish have hit a rough patch, losing four straight after starting the season with four wins. With Markus Burton, Notre Dame’s leading scorer, sidelined by injury, the Irish face an uphill battle as they take on a Georgia team powered by freshman talent.
Notre Dame’s Struggles Mount Without Markus Burton
After opening the season with a promising 4-0 run, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish have fallen into a four-game losing streak. The latest defeat came at the hands of Elon, who stunned the Irish with an 84-77 victory, despite Notre Dame entering the game as a 15.5-point favorite. The Irish have also endured tough losses to Rutgers (85-84), Houston (65-54), and Creighton (80-76). Though Notre Dame has shown resilience, they have failed to secure a win in their last four outings, and the absence of Markus Burton has made things even more challenging.
Burton, who has been averaging 18.2 points per game this season, suffered an injury less than four minutes into the game against Rutgers. His injury has forced the Fighting Irish to adapt without their top scorer, and while they’ve fought hard in his absence, they’ve yet to capture a win. Braeden Shrewsberry (15.4 ppg), Tae Davis (14.5 ppg), and Matt Allocco (10.5 ppg) have provided the scoring support, but without Burton, the Irish offense has lacked consistency. With Burton’s status listed as week-to-week, Notre Dame will need more than just scoring to turn their season around—they’ll need to shore up their defense, which currently ranks 111th nationally according to KenPom.
The Fighting Irish’s position in the KenPom rankings at 73rd reflects a team that’s capable offensively but struggling to defend consistently. With the team ranking 51st in offensive efficiency and 111th defensively, Notre Dame has been exposed in matchups where their defense couldn’t stop the opposition from exploiting weaknesses. As they head into this game, they will need to rely on their depth and veteran leadership to remain competitive.
Georgia Bulldogs: Freshman Asa Newell Leads the Charge
The Georgia Bulldogs have had a strong start to their season, standing at 7-1, with their only loss coming to Marquette (80-69) on November 23. Despite the loss, the Bulldogs showed resilience, bouncing back the next day with a 66-63 win over St. John’s. Most recently, Georgia dominated Jacksonville, securing a massive 102-56 victory that easily covered the 17-point spread.
The Bulldogs have been solid against the spread, posting a 5-3 record, and they’re 4-4 against the over/under this season. Georgia has been especially effective at getting to the free-throw line, ranking 20th in the nation in free throws made and 24th in free-throw attempts. This ability to score efficiently from the charity stripe has been a key to their early success and will likely remain a pivotal factor in their future matchups.
While Georgia has multiple scoring threats, the team’s standout player has been freshman Asa Newell, who has been a revelation in his first season. The 6’11 forward is leading the Bulldogs with 15.4 points and 6.0 rebounds per game. Newell’s performance has garnered significant attention, with many NBA scouts projecting him as a potential first-round pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. His scoring ability, combined with his size and versatility, makes him a matchup nightmare for opponents and a cornerstone of Georgia’s offense.
The Bulldogs also have depth beyond Newell, with several other players contributing significantly. Kario Oquendo (12.1 ppg), Terry Roberts (11.7 ppg), and Jalyn McCreary (10.4 ppg) round out the double-digit scorers, providing a balanced attack that makes Georgia tough to defend. The Bulldogs’ offense is currently ranked 52nd in KenPom’s offensive ratings, but their defense has also been solid, sitting at 42nd in adjusted defensive efficiency.
Conclusion
This matchup presents a fascinating contrast between a Georgia team led by freshman talent and a Notre Dame squad that has been battling injury and inconsistency. With Markus Burton out, Notre Dame will need to rely on their depth and experience to stay competitive, but their defense will need to improve significantly to stop a Georgia offense that can score in a variety of ways. On the other hand, the Bulldogs will look to build on their strong early-season form, with Asa Newell emerging as a star and the team’s balanced scoring attack making them a tough opponent.
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