Georgia’s basketball team is set to face South Carolina today at 3:30 p.m. ET in a highly anticipated rematch at the sold-out Stegeman Coliseum in Athens, Georgia. The Bulldogs are looking for their third consecutive 20-win season, a remarkable achievement they have only accomplished twice in their 120-year history. With a victory, they would reach this milestone for the 16th time overall, and only the sixth during the regular season.
Georgia, coached by Mike White, enters the game with impressive statistics, leading the nation for fastbreak points at 20.3 per game and blocks at 6.3 per game. Their real strength lies in their roster depth, with eleven players averaging double figures in minutes. Jeremiah Wilkinson leads the scoring with 17.7 points per game, supported by Blue Cain, who is on the verge of reaching the 1,000-career points milestone, and Somto Cyril, who is making headlines with his record-breaking field goal percentage. Cyril is also tied for the nation’s lead in total dunks this season.
In their last encounter six weeks ago in Columbia, the Bulldogs edged out South Carolina 75-70 in a nail-biting battle featuring nine ties and 11 lead changes. Today’s game is expected to be another closely contested affair, with the Bulldogs eager to secure a victory that could strengthen their NCAA Tournament position. Currently, Georgia is a consensus pick across all 118 “March Madness” projections.
On the other side of the court, South Carolina, now 12-16 overall and struggling in SEC play, will rely heavily on Meechie Johnson, their top scorer and playmaker. The Gamecocks will look to turn their season around after experiencing a slump following a promising start. They feature a few additional contributors in double figures, showcasing a balanced approach, although their recent performance has not yielded consistent success.
The showdown promises to be filled with excitement as Georgia aims to continue their victorious form and secure their spot in the NCAA Tournament, aiming for a triumphant finish to the regular season. Spectators can expect a thrilling afternoon of college basketball, where the stakes are high for both teams.