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Georgia basketball: Yante Maten’s injury could be a blessing for the Bulldogs

By Kyle Funderburk

Feb 18, 2017; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Basketball forward Pape Diatta (5) shoots the ball against the Kentucky Wildcats in the second half at Stegeman Coliseum. Kentucky won 82-77. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 18, 2017; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Basketball forward Pape Diatta (5) shoots the ball against the Kentucky Wildcats in the second half at Stegeman Coliseum. Kentucky won 82-77. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 20, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs forward Derek Ogbeide (34) drives against Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets center Ben Lammers (44) in the first half at McCamish Pavilion. Georgia won 60-43. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 20, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs forward Derek Ogbeide (34) drives against Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets center Ben Lammers (44) in the first half at McCamish Pavilion. Georgia won 60-43. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /

Derek Ogbeide

Ogbeide is already blossoming into a dominant player on defense. Now he’ll need to use his physicality on offense. He can develop the rest of his game at a quicker pace because of the urgency Maten’s injury places on the team, especially around the basket.

In my opinion, Ogbeide is the most underrated player in the SEC, and definetely the most underrated sophomore in the nation. At times he’s been unbeatable around the basket on defense. And when he’s been asked, he’s delivered on offense.

He just hasn’t been asked all that much. But the Bulldogs will be asking for more out of him on offense now that Maten is out.

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