The Cincinnati Bearcats are set to face the Georgia Bulldogs in Atlanta, Georgia, on December 13, 2025, with the game kicking off at 2 p.m. ET, live on ESPNU. Georgia enters this matchup as the favorite, listed at -8.5 points on the spread and a moneyline of -450, while the total points are projected at 158.5.
Analysts predict a strong performance from Georgia, with the best bets leaning towards the Bulldogs covering the spread. The odds reflect expectations, as Cincinnati struggles to generate offense, particularly in the absence of key player Jizzle James, who provided critical dribble creation.
Despite boasting a top 10 defense, Cincinnati faced challenges in their recent performance against Xavier, where their defense was overpowered by Tre Carroll. Carroll scored 30 points on an impressive 72% shooting inside the arc, spotlighting Cincinnati’s vulnerabilities in defending the paint. This raises concerns as they prepare to face a Georgia team that excels in interior scoring, averaging over 46 paint points per game and ranking second in the nation in 2-point shooting at 65%.
Georgia’s offensive prowess has been notable, with significant performances against top-100 competition, including notable scoring against Florida State, Clemson, and Xavier. They lead the nation in fast-break points, further showcasing their ability to push the tempo. Cincinnati, typically solid in transition defense, struggled recently, allowing 16 fast-break points to Xavier, leading to questions about their ability to contain Georgia’s quick pace.
Defensively, Georgia has excelled at forcing turnovers, ranking in the top 20 in turnover rate forced at 22%, while Cincinnati has faltered, sitting at 275th nationally with a turnover rate of 19%. This mismatch could lead to easy scoring opportunities for Georgia’s key players, including Jeremiah Wilkinson, Blue Cain, and Marcus “Smurf” Millender, who all contribute significantly in steals and transition points.
Looking ahead, if Georgia can improve its shooting, especially from beyond the arc, they could become a formidable offensive team. Analysts project Georgia as an 11-point neutral-court favorite against Cincinnati, indicating value in their current line. The outcome of this game could hinge on Cincinnati addressing its defensive lapses and capitalizing on scoring opportunities, but the expectation remains focused on a strong performance from the Bulldogs.