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Benjamin Lilley

UWG Heads to Athens to Face #25 Georgia

12/19/2025 6:25:00 AM

By: Danny Talbert
CARROLLTON, Ga. -  West Georgia men's basketball closes out non-conference play next Monday (Dec. 23), taking on the #25 Georgia Bulldogs in Athens. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m., and the game will be streaming live on ESPN+.

After breaking its two-game losing streak with a home win over Brewton-Parker, UWG (6-5, 0-0 ASUN) hits the road looking to hand deliver the nation's leader in scoring, UGA (10-1, 0-0 SEC), its second loss of the season. Currently, the Bulldogs' 99.5 points per game is the most by any team in DI, and their only loss was in an overtime thriller against Clemson (Nov. 23). 

Monday's matchup marks the first time UWG has faced Georgia at the DI level. 

"These games are opportunities for us to let it all hang out. There's no pressure for us in these games," said head coach Dave Moore about the opportunity to play against another Power Four opponent. "We need to go play good basketball. We need to try to control tempo a little bit. Taking care of the ball is going to be a huge key against Georgia."

With only one non-conference contest remaining, forward Shelton Williams-Dryden ranks second in the ASUN in scoring (17 ppg) and rebounding (8.9 rpg) while recording the ninth-best field goal percentage (.440). In addition to leading the Wolves in scoring and on the glass, the senior's 14 steals places him second for the Pack and his 15 assists rank him fifth. Through 11 games, Williams-Dryden has scored double-digits in all but one contest, and has tallied three double-doubles. Typically scoring from inside the arc, Williams-Dryden will be put to the test this Monday going against the big Bulldogs. More than likely, the forward is going to be guarded by either the 6-foot-6 forward Kanon Catchings or the 6-foot-9 forward Justin Absen, who both are currently tied 23rd nationally and second in the SEC with 26 blocks each.

Ranking fifth in the ASUN and second for UWG in scoring with a 16.2 points per game average is guard Josh Smith. Along with this solid scoring average, Smith averages 2.4 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game while totaling nine steals and three blocks. Highlighted by three 20-plus point games, the shifty guard has showcased the ability to take over on offense at a moment's notice. With guard Chas Lewless being out in the most recent contest, it is unclear if Smith will continue to serve as the Wolves' spark plug off the bench or if he will be moved into the starting lineup. Be on the lookout for how head coach Dave Moore and staff utilize no. 10 moving forward. 

Leading the Bulldogs and ranking sixth in the SEC with a 17.9 points and 2.1 steals per game average is guard Jeremiah Wilkinson. Through 11 appearances, Wilkinson averages 1.9 rebounds and 1.6 assists while recording four blocks. Kicking off his college career last season at the University of California, Wilkinson has been a force to be reckoned with since entering the scene. After finishing as the Bears' second-leading scorer at 15.1 points while also contributing 1.9 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 0.8 steals per contest, the Powder Springs, Georgia native won ACC Sixth Man of the Year and was selected to the ACC All-Rookie team. Interestingly, Wilkinson finished his high school career playing for The Skill Factory (TSF), the same preparatory team that Wolves' guard Josh Smith played for during his senior year. 

Following Wilkinson in scoring with a 15.6 points per game average while shooting 50 percent from the field is junior guard Blue Cain. Through 11 starts, Cain records a Bulldogs-best 5.7 rebounds per game while also ranking second on the team in steals (2 spg) and third in assists (2.5 apg) averages. Going over Cain's game log, the Knoxville, Tennessee native is riding a 13-game double-digit streak that dates back to last season, when the Bulldogs faced Vanderbilt (March 8).   

Looking at team stats, UWG scores an average of 76.5 points per game while shooting 44 percent from the field, 36 percent from the three and 69 percent from three. Defensively, the Wolves allow an average of 78.6 points per game. As previously noted, the Bulldogs lead the nation with 99.5 points per game, UGA does it while shooting 50 percent from the field, 31 percent from three and 76 percent from the charity stripe. 

UWG and Georgia tip off at 2 p.m. on Monday (Dec. 22) in the Wolves' final non-conference game. Links to live stats and video are tagged at the top of the page.


 
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