Georgia Basketball Season Preview 2024-25: Biggest games, key players to watch, predictions and more

Georgia opens its 2024-25 college basketball season with a ton of new players beefing up the Bulldogs roster. It looks to continue the success of the past season where they won 20 games and made it to the NIT semifinals.

Here's a look into the Bulldogs' upcoming campaign, including its biggest games and key players to watch out for this season.

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Georgia's biggest games in the 2024-25 season

Georgia has yet to complete its non-conference schedule but is lined up to face Big East powerhouses St John's and Marquette in the Bahamas. The Bulldogs will face the Red Storm (Nov. 23) and the Golden Eagles (Nov. 24) as part of the Battle 4 Atlantis Basketball Tournament at The Atlantis Paradise Island.

Nine days later, Georgia will lock horns with Notre Dame at the Stegeman Coliseum as part of the 2024 SEC-ACC Challenge. The Bulldogs are 2-2 all-time against the Fighting Irish.

Up next for the Mike White-coached squad is Grand Canyon in the event dubbed Holiday Hoopsgiving at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta on Dec. 14. It will be the first time the Bulldogs face the Antelopes in its history.

GEORGIA'S 2024-25	SEC BASKETBALL SCHEDULE
Home and Away	Auburn, Florida, South Carolina
Home only	Kentucky, LSU, Mississippi State, Missouri, Oklahoma, Vanderbilt
Away only	Alabama, Arkansas, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M

SEC play will begin on January 4, 2025 and Georgia will play Auburn, Florida and South Carolina in a home-and-away format. They will host Kentucky, LSU, Mississippi State, Missouri, Oklahoma and Vanderbilt at the Stegeman Coliseum.

Meanwhile, they will face Alabama, Arkansas, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Texas and Texas A&M on the road.

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Key Georgia players to watch out for in the 2024-25 season

Georgia had a busy offseason retooling its roster and after a few months, the program is listed among the top schools in recruiting players from the transfer portal and the high school class of 2024.

There are two prep finds and one transferee that Bulldogs fans should keep an eye on this season.

#1. Justin Abson

Justin Abson was No. 4 in the nation in blocks at 2.8 per game (Credits: IMAGN)

Justin Abson was a defensive juggernaut during his sophomore year at Appalachian State. The 6-9, 235-pound junior averaged 7.9 points, 7.1 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 2.8 blocks (ranked fourth in the nation) this past season to be named the 2024 Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Year.

His defense helped the Mountaineers top the Sun Belt regular season standings and he hopes he can help Georgia strengthen its interior defense this coming season.

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#2. Asa Newell

Bulldogs freshman forward Asa Newell (Credits: IMAGN)

Asa Newell was the 13th-best high school prospect in ESPN's Class of 2024 rankings. The 6-10, 205-pound power forward averaged 14.7 points and 8.7 rebounds per contest in his sophomore year with Choctawhatchee High School in Fort Walton.

Newell, who is a five-star prospect as per 247Sports.com, transferred to Montverde Academy in his junior season and become part of the Jordan Brand Classic and the Nike Hoop Summit this year.

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#3. Dakota Leffew

Dakota Leffew is coming off a great season with Mount St. Mary's, where he was selected in the first team of the All-Metro Atlantic Conference. The 6-5 guard tallied 17.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.5 steals per game as a senior with the Mountaineers.

Leffew is expected to bring instant offense for the Bulldogs as he shot 43.0% from the field, including 36.5% from the 3-point line. He made 2.5 threes per contest this past season.

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Georgia's predictions for the 2024-25 season

Georgia will bring the fight in the Southeastern Conference as it has a formidable lineup that can match up with the best teams in the division. Newell is expected to be their main contributor due to his highly regarded skills in the high school ranks.

The Bulldogs' relatively new lineup will have familiarity issues early on but once they get into their groove, the team could be almost unstoppable. A 22-win season for Mike White would be great for the team as it means that the program is still progressing under his leadership.