Georgia Bulldogs vs Lsu Tigers Picks and Predictions February 5th 2025

Bulldogs Aim to Reignite Offense as Tigers Search for Answers

Struggling to regain their early-season form, the Georgia Bulldogs (15-7, 3-6 SEC) host the LSU Tigers (12-9, 1-7 SEC) on Wednesday in a pivotal Southeastern Conference matchup in Athens, Georgia. Both teams are looking to reverse recent slumps, with Georgia battling for an NCAA Tournament spot and LSU desperate to find consistency.

Limited Time Offer

Georgia’s Tournament Hopes Hang in the Balance

Georgia started the season strong, cracking the AP Top 25 for the first time in 14 years after impressive wins over then-No. 6 Kentucky and then-No. 17 Oklahoma in January. However, since reaching that milestone, the Bulldogs have dropped five of their last six games, putting their tournament hopes in jeopardy.

A key issue has been offensive inefficiency. Georgia has failed to score more than 70 points in five of its last six outings, including a 90-69 blowout loss to No. 4 Alabama on Saturday. Their shooting struggles were evident in that game, as the Bulldogs hit just 17.4% (4-for-23) from three-point range and made only 47.8% (11-for-23) of their free throws.

Head coach Mike White has emphasized that these inefficiencies need immediate improvement:

“The empty possessions from the foul line continue to haunt us. We’re past not talking about it. We’re going to talk about it non-stop and see where it goes. If we converted at a higher level from three and the foul line, maybe it’s a competitive game down the stretch. We’ve got to make some shots, and we’ve got to win some games.”

Statistically, Georgia ranks 13th in the SEC in three-point shooting (32.2%) and 12th in free-throw percentage (70.9%), areas they must improve to stay in the NCAA Tournament conversation.

Key Players for Georgia:

• Asa Newell (F, Freshman): 15.2 PPG, 7.0 RPG
• Silas Demary Jr. (G, Freshman): 11.1 PPG
• Dakota Leffew (G, Senior): 10.9 PPG

Newell, the Bulldogs’ leading scorer and rebounder, will need to step up alongside Demary and Leffew to help Georgia rediscover its offensive rhythm.

Scores&Stats Expert Betting Guide

LSU Faces Major Questions After Blowout Loss

LSU enters the game in even worse shape, having lost seven of its last eight games. Their lone SEC win came against Vanderbilt, and they haven’t won a true road game since November 14.

Their most recent outing was a demoralizing 89-58 home loss to Texas, a game in which LSU struggled in all facets. Jordan Sears (13 points) was the only player in double figures, highlighting LSU’s ongoing offensive inconsistency.

Head coach Matt McMahon acknowledged that significant changes might be necessary:

“I think we’re going to need to have some really competitive practices and try to determine who needs to be on the floor. We need to figure out what combinations are best, who can help us in the areas of ball security, defensive rebounding, and offensive execution to give ourselves a better chance.”

LSU has struggled in multiple areas, particularly turnovers, rebounding, and scoring efficiency. They will need to show improvement in these aspects to compete with Georgia.

Key Players for LSU:

• Cam Carter (G, Junior): 17.3 PPG
• Jordan Sears (G, Senior): 14.0 PPG
• Corey Chest (F, Freshman): 7.4 RPG

Carter has been LSU’s lone consistent scorer, but he will need more support from Sears and Chest for the Tigers to have a shot at breaking their slump.

NCAAB Expert Handicappers

What’s at Stake?

For Georgia, this game is critical in their push for an NCAA Tournament bid, as they are currently listed among the “last four in” and “last four byes” in major bracketology projections. A loss to a struggling LSU team could be damaging to their resume.

For LSU, this game is more about finding a winning formula and salvaging what remains of their SEC season. With their confidence at an all-time low, a competitive performance is needed to regain momentum.

Final Thoughts

This game features two teams desperate for a turnaround. Georgia’s offensive efficiency and LSU’s lineup adjustments will be key factors in determining the outcome. If Georgia can improve its shooting, they have a strong chance to pick up a crucial win. However, if LSU can capitalize on Georgia’s weaknesses and get solid contributions from multiple players, they could pull off an upset.