Freshman Asa Newell Shines in Debut, Georgia Baskteball Defeats Tennessee Tech 83-78

Georgia men's basketball opened its season Monday night, defeating Tennessee Tech 83-78 in Stegeman Coliseum. In his first collegiate game, former five-star recruit Asa Newell lived up to the hype, leading the team in points and rebounds with 26 points and 11 boards. The 26 points tied a program record for most points by a freshman. Newell now shares the high mark with UGA basketball legend and NBA Hall of Famer Dominique Wilkins. 

After the game, head coach Mike White raved about Newell. 

"He's a winning player," White said, adding that he believes Newell could break records in the future. 

Aside from the scoring output, Newell also had a big presence on the offensive glass, pulling in six rebounds off UGA misses. 

"I feel like that's a big part of my game, rebounding at a high level," Newell said. 

In a competitive game, rebounding was the difference between the two teams. Georgia earned a 44-25 advantage, and a 16-2 split on the offensive glass. After struggling with out-rebounding teams in years past, White said boards were a big focus this offseason, as Georgia added size from both the transfer portal and its prep recruiting class.

"I would be shocked if we're not significantly better defending the glass, defending the paint, blocking and altering shots, and then obviously on the offensive glass," White said.

While it wasn't a good night from beyond the arc for the Bulldogs, going only 4-18 from 3-point range, Georgia found a way to get the victory. After scoring 114 points and shooting the lights out of the ball in last week's exhibition against UCF, the Dawgs found themselves in a different type of game tonight. It may ultimately be valuable for UGA to experience adversity and win in different ways, especially this early in the season. 

The three returning sophomores, Silas Demary Jr., Blue Cain and Dylan James all struggled, but Newell and transfer guard Dakota Leffew were able to carry the load. Leffew added 18 points off of the bench. White said after the game that Leffew may find himself in the starting rotation in the future, adding that he's been the team's best guard at times in practices.
 

Vandervilt transfer Tyrin Lawerence, Cain, Demary, RJ Godfrey and Newell started in tonight’s game.

Godfrey, playing his first game in a Georgia uniform after transferring from Clemson, had a quiet double-double, the first such stat line of his career.

Georgia is now 1-0, and despite a long season ahead, anticipation continues to build for a team looking to snap the SEC's longest NCAA Tournament drought. The Dawgs hope to dance for the first time since 2016, but there are many steps between November and March.

Georgia will play its next game against Texas Southern on Sunday, November 10th in Stegeman Coliseum at 3:30 p.m.

Cover photo via UGAA