Georgia

Preview – Hogs Host Georgia in SEC Home Opener

Published

2 years ago

January 6, 2024

Preview – Hogs Host Georgia in SEC Home Opener

kylie magar
January 6, 2024

FAYETTEVILLE – The Arkansas women’s basketball team (12-4, 0-1 SEC) will look to get back on the right foot and pick up its first league win, as the Hogs host Georgia (10-4, 1-0 SEC) on Saturday, Jan. 7, at Bud Walton Arena. The game will tipoff at 1 p.m. and will be broadcast on SEC Network.

GAME INFORMATION

Dates: Sunday, Jan. 7
Time: 1 p.m.
Opponent: Georgia
Location: Bud Walton Arena (Fayetteville, Ark.)
Promotions: WBB Alumni Recognition, Educator Appreciation, Campbell’s Food Drive
Watch: SECN
Listen: Razorback Sports Network from Learfield
Arkansas Game Notes
Georgia Game Notes
Live Stats

STORYLINES

Arkansas women’s basketball dropped its sixth straight SEC opener, falling at Kentucky, 73-63. With the loss, Arkansas is now 1-18 when their first SEC game is on the road
The Hogs are looking to get back on the right foot after ending the non-conference slate on a four-game winning streak and with its 12 non-conference wins, earn 10+ wins in non-con for the 10th time in program history
Arkansas hosts Georgia on Sunday, as the Hogs will look to pick up its first SEC win and snap a four-game losing streak to the Bulldogs
With a win over Georgia, head coach Mike Neighbors will pick up 133 wins at Arkansas, which will be the third most wins by an Arkansas head coach in program history
Arkansas is 6-38 in the all-time series vs. the Bulldogs with a 3-16 record vs. in games played in Fayetteville
Taliah Scott leads the Hogs in scoring with 22.3 points per game and is the only player in the SEC to average 20.0+ points per game. She is second in the NCAA in total points with 356 and field goal attempts with 288, just trailing Caitlin Clark, as well as third in 3-point attempts (132), fifth in field goal makes (121), sixth in free throw makes (74) and eighth in points per game
Saylor Poffenbarger’s presence on the glass has been something to see, as she has established herself as one of the top rebounders in the country. She leads the team and the league in rebounds/game (12.9) and defensive rebounds/game (10.6), as well as has the most steals on the team with 30. Poffenbarger is second in the NCAA in both categories and has pulled down 206 boards in just 16 games
Poffenbarger broke the school record for individual game rebounds with 23 against Florida State. Those 23 boards is the most pulled down by an NCAA DI men’s or women’s player this season and she has had four games with 19+ boards this year, which is the only time an Arkansas player has had that many 19+ rebound games in their career
Samara Spencer leads the team with 49 assists. Her 299 career assists is No. 15 on the career list
A huge factor in the Hogs’ success this season has been Maryam Dauda, who paces the team with 30 blocks
Makayla Daniels is the highest scoring point guard in school history with 1,623 points, which is the seventh most in school history, while holding a program’s most starts (138) and most games played (138). Daniels was selected on the All-SEC Preseason Second Team, as chosen by the league’s coaches

SCOUTING GEORGIA

Georgia has commenced the season 10-4 and coming off a win in their SEC opener vs. Texas A&M, in which they took down the Aggies, 54-50
In the SEC Preseason Polls, the Bulldogs were chosen to finish seventh and ninth in the media and coaches polls, respectively
The Bulldogs are coming off a successful first year under Coach Katie Abrahamson-Henderson, in which the team finished 22-12, 9-7 in the SEC. As a 10th seed in the NCAA Tournament, Georgia defeated No. 7 seed Florida State, 66-54, in the first round and took No. 2 seed Iowa down to the wire in the Iowa City Regional in a 74-66 loss
Javyn Nicholson leads Georgia with a near double-double behind 16.6 points and 9.8 rebounds per game
Asia Avinger paces UGA with 63 total assists and is tied for a team’s most 21 steals with Destiny Thompson, who also leads the way with 15 blocks
Coach ABE has 404 career wins and 19 years of head coaching experience next to her name. She is coming off taking Georgia to the second round of the NCAA Tournament in her first season

HISTORY AGAINST THE BULLDOGS

Georgia has Arkansas’ number in the all-time series, as the Hogs trail, 6-38
This year’s game will mark the 45th of the all-time series
Arkansas is 3-16 vs. the Bulldogs in Fayetteville
Georgia has a four-game winning streak vs. the Hogs and have a 9-1 edge in the last 10 games. The last time Arkansas beat Georgia was at the 2019 SEC Tournament in an 86-76 feat during the Hogs’ historic run to the championship game. Arkansas has not beaten Georgia in a regular season game since 2015 when Arkansas defeated No. 24/21 Georgia, 54-48, in Fayetteville
Arkansas lost at Georgia, 71-48, last season. Arkansas trailed by just six with nine minutes left in the game, but the Bulldogs used a 16-0 run in the fourth quarter to silence the Hogs. Poffenbarger had six points, seven rebounds and three assists, while Daniels logged six assists

LAST TIME OUT

Arkansas could not overcome a slow start at Kentucky in the SEC opener, in which the team scored just 14 points in the first half, dropping the game, 73-63, in Rupp Arena
Spencer scored a season-high 25 points and added seven rebounds, three assists and two steals. She also drew 10 fouls and went 9-of-14 from the free throw line
Scott recorded 11 points, three rebounds and two steals
Carly Keats gave the Hogs a huge spark off the bench, logging 10 points off three triples
Arkansas held Kentucky 0-for-10 from the 3-point line, marking the second time this season the Hogs have held an opponent to zero made 3-point field goals in a game

UPCOMING

The Hogs will stay at home to host Mississippi State on Thursday, Jan. 11 for an 8 p.m. tipoff at Bud Walton Arena. The game will be broadcast on SEC Network.

MORE INFORMATION

For more information about Arkansas Women’s Basketball, follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @RazorbackWBB and on Facebook at Facebook.com/RazorbackWBB. Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube Channel, “Kickin’ It In The Neighborhood” for an inside look at the Razorback women’s basketball program and check out The Neighborhood podcasts at CoachNeighbors.com.

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Georgia

Where might Georgia baseball star Daniel Jackson land in MLB draft?

Published

9 hours ago

June 23, 2026

Press Room

Where might Georgia baseball star Daniel Jackson land in MLB draft?

There’s a shorter turnaround time this season from Georgia baseball’s postseason to the MLB draft for Bulldog pro hopefuls.

That’s what happens when you make it to the College World Series for the first time since 2008.

Daniel Jackson, considered Georgia’s top draft prospect, finished up a season that will go down as one of the best in history.

Jackson became the first catcher to post a 25-25 season of at least 25 homers and 25 steals. He had 32 homers and 26 stolen bases and became third SEC player to capture the triple crown with a .379 average, 87 RBI and the 32 homers.

“We wouldn’t be here without that young man and what he’s done,” Georgia coach Wes Johnson said after the Bulldogs season ended with a 53-14 record two wins away from the College World Series finals. “You know, if you think about it, it will go down as one of the best single-season performances in the history of our game.”

So where does Jackson, considered the favorite to win the Golden Spikes Award for nation’s top player, stand in projections ahead of the start of the draft on July 11?

ESPN.com’s Kiley McDaniel

17. Houston Astros

“He’s an above-average runner and has the tools to stick behind the plate, so his polish as a catcher and contact rates are the only hesitations. His profile combining raw power, measurable athleticism and defensive value also fits the Astros’ tendencies. This pick is more of a high watermark for him, but I’d be surprised if he got past the 35th pick.”

Baseball America’s staff draft

27. New York Mets

“The Mets’ pick of a bat-first catcher from the state of Georgia (Kevin Parada) didn’t work a few years ago. This time should be different. Jackson is athletic for a catcher and his power is real.”

The Athletic’s Keith Law

25. Milwaukee Brewers

On June 12 before College World Series: “The big finish has probably pushed him into the first round, and the Brewers have gone for similar hitters the last two years in Blake Burke and Andrew Fischer.”

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Georgia

Three Reasons Why Georgia Tech Can Beat The ACC Best Teams

Published

20 hours ago

June 22, 2026

Press Room

Three Reasons Why Georgia Tech Can Beat The ACC Best Teams

Don’t sleep on the Yellow Jackets heading into the 2026 season.

They have several big games in conference play against some of the conference’s elite. As they have shown us before, they are no stranger to pulling off big-time victories and shocking the college football world, especially as an underdog. Let’s talk about three reasons why the Yellow Jackets can beat the ACC elite this upcoming season.

1. They’ve Done It Before

Georgia Tech is no stranger to beating top ACC teams in the Brent Key era. They have done it consistently, multiple times. There are a myriad of examples to point to. You can go to the North Carolina game back in 2023, played in primetime on the Flats.

The Yellow Jackets defeated top pick and now New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye in a 46-42 victory. You can go back to the 2024 season in Ireland when the Yellow Jackets upset then No.10 Florida State 24-21. In that same year, Georgia Tech knocked off future No.1 overall pick Cam Ward and the No.4 Miami Hurricanes, handing them their first loss of the season in a 28-23.

There are many other examples I can point to illustrate this point, but you can see the Yellow Jackets never back down and come to play when it matters most against the elite teams in the conference. They have done it with a good offense and an opportunistic defense. With Louisville, Clemson, and Virginia Tech on the schedule, they should be primed to do it again in 2026.

2. Georgia Tech Has An Identity

It is pretty simple: under head coach Brent Key, this Yellow Jackets team has an identity and a culture that sets it apart. They want to play physical, smash-mouth football and dominate you in the trenches on both sides of the ball. Coach Key has meant what he said this offseason about getting more size and girth, but also having offensive linemen who can move. It was one of the reasons why they were aggressive in the portal and one of the reasons why they are having success with the 2027 cycle.

When you look at Georgia Tech, they are going to run the football and play good defense. That makes the job easier for a first-time starter in Alberto Mendoza, who has a lighter load with the moves made this offseason. When you play in those major matchups, you have to lean on something to come out on top, and what better way than the true identity of your team?

3. The Defense Will Be Much Better

From top to bottom, the Yellow Jackets are poised to be much better defensively. When you look at the depth of the roster, the new defensive scheme, the talent level, and the hunger, you have a team that should be one of the better units in the conference. In order to beat the conference elite, you have to have a good defense that can travel and make plays late in games to seal it for you.

While Georgia Tech showed glimpses of that a season ago, the consistency in November just wasn’t there. With Jason Semore becoming the new defensive coordinator and a more attack-style, aggressive man-to-man defense, Georgia Tech should be equipped to force more turnovers and make a difference by getting the ball back to the offense.

The spring gave us a good glimpse of what the defense could look like despite so many injuries and players out. The defense flat-out shut down the Yellow Jackets, creating constant pressure and causing havoc for an offense trying to find its footing in the spring game. While some will say to take it with a grain of salt, it is clear that the Yellow Jackets will be a much better unit in 2026.

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Georgia

Zuckerman eyes MLB Draft after superb baseball season at Georgia Tech

Published

1 day ago

June 22, 2026

Press Room

Zuckerman eyes MLB Draft after superb baseball season at Georgia Tech

Ryan Zuckerman is last on the alphabetical list of the 335 college and high school baseball players attending the June 22-27 MLB Draft Combine in Phoenix.

What the 2023 Pennsbury graduate did in his lone season at Georgia Tech has garnered him plenty of attention from MLB scouts regardless of where his name is on a list that includes Holy Ghost Prep grad Aiden Robbins, a Texas outfield standout who is expected to go as early as late in the first round, fellow Pennsbury graduate Joe Tiroly, an infielder from Virginia, and Pennsbury senior right-handed pitcher Keller Bradley.

MVP of the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament for the conference champion Yellow Jackets, second-team All-American by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association and leader in home runs (23) and RBIs (79, tied for eighth in the country) for the high-powered Georgia Tech offense are just a few of Zuckerman’s notable accomplishments heading into the July 11-13 draft. He is projected to go toward the middle of the 20 rounds.

“It’s pretty surreal for sure,” said Zuckerman, 21. “It’s something I dreamed of my whole life.”

In a season filled with memorable moments, perhaps most impressive was Zuckerman being named ACC Tournament MVP after hitting three home runs with six RBIs and batting .571 (8 for 14), culminating in a 13-6 championship game win over North Carolina in Charlotte. He also was a first-team All-ACC selection at third base.

Zuckerman and Georgia Tech went into the NCAA Atlanta regional as the nation’s No. 2 seed. Though the 50-11 Yellow Jackets ended up being eliminated by losing twice to Oklahoma, including 8-7 in 10 innings for the regional title, Zuckerman can only rave about his experience at Georgia Tech.

“If you would have told me that’s how the season for me and each of us on the team would’ve gone, I would’ve been extremely happy,” Zuckerman said. “It was probably the best decision I ever made in my life.”

After a solid sophomore season at Pitt in which he hit .295 with 16 doubles, 13 home runs, 48 RBIs and 48 runs scored, Zuckerman believed transferring would help him develop into a more pro-ready player and allow him to win more games. And Georgia Tech checked all the boxes

In addition to his career-best home run and RBI numbers, Zuckerman led Georgia Tech in 2026 with 24 multi-RBI games while establishing career-highs in batting average (.345), runs (71), hits (80), walks (37), slugging percentage (.720) and on-base percentage (.438). He batted fifth in the order.

The 6-foot-4, 230-pound Zuckerman, who always had a strong arm, also worked hard to improve his defense at third base, resulting in 15.99 defensive runs saved for the season, which was the 13th-highest total in college baseball.

“I like to say I’m arguably the best third baseman in the country,” he said.

As a senior playing third at Pennsbury, Zuckerman hit .465 with an on-base percentage of .563, plus six doubles, six home runs, 23 RBIs and scored 26 runs.

“In high school, he was incredible for us,” said Pennsbury head coach Joe Pesci. “(A year ago), he decided to go from a mid- to low ACC team to the best team in the ACC. Surrounding himself with amazing players at Georgia Tech, he’s kind of elevated his game.”

Since the conclusion of the collegiate season, Zuckerman has been working out in preparation for the MLB Draft Combine and, ultimately, the draft. He’s been splitting his time between Yardley and Atlanta.

MLB teams have indicated Zuckerman’s power bat and defense are two of his strengths, while he’s focusing on improving his swing selection and making more contact at the plate.

Zuckerman is looking forward to hearing his name called by one of the 30 major league clubs. Whether a team views him as a third baseman, first baseman, corner outfielder or even second baseman doesn’t really matter to him.

“I think right now I’m in a great position to go and play professional baseball and start my journey up to the big leagues,” Zuckerman said. “The goal is not to get drafted – it’s to play MLB.”

Tom Moore: tmoore@couriertimes.com; @TomMoorePhilly is a sports columnist for PhillyBurbs.com. Support our journalism with a subscription.

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