ESPN basketball reporter tabs UGA as a potential breakout team

While Georgia has missed the NCAA Tournament in each of the past two seasons, one ESPN college basketball reporter thinks things could change in 2017.

ESPN's Jeff Goodman wrote that Georgia could be one of six teams that takes a leap forward and makes a surprising run during the 2017-18 season.

Goodman's reasoning is due to a combination of who is returning and who is joining the program.

"Mark Fox will have to replace J.J. Frazier, his point guard and leading scorer," Goodman wrote. "But he should return one of the top big men in the SEC – and the country – in senior Yante Maten. The key, though, will be the development of young off-guard Jordan Harris and talented freshman wing Rayshaun Hammonds, who was 38th in the ESPN 100. Another critical component will be whether the duo of William Jackson and Tyree Crump can help ease the loss of Frazier at the point."

Maten, however, has yet to announce whether he will return for his senior season. Maten entered the NBA draft but didn't sign with an agent. He has until May 24 to announce whether he will return or not.

To read what other teams Goodman thinks could break out in 2017-18, CLICK HERE.

This story was originally published May 18, 2017 at 3:15 PM with the headline "ESPN basketball reporter tabs UGA as a potential breakout team."