ATHENS – It seems the entire SEC is making noise this season, and Georgia basketball could make itself heard with a major upset on Tuesday.
The Bulldogs host No. 6 Kentucky for the Bulldogs SEC home opener on Tuesday.
The Wildcats are the second game of a staggering stretch for Georgia, as it faces seven straight ranked opponents to open conference play.
“Another really good team, and how unique is it that we’ll be saying that for (all conference opponents)?” Georgia coach Mike White said. “It’s an incredible gauntlet ahead for us, but we’re going to be competitive and we’re going to win our share.”
Georgia (12-2, 0-1 SEC) will look to star forward Asa Newell to contain Kentucky’s big men in the paint. The Wildcats (12-2, 1-0) will challenge UGA near the rim with a towering pair of veterans in Amari Williams (7-0) and Andrew Carr (6-11), who combined for 29 points, 12 rebounds and two blocks in Kentucky’s 106-100 win over No. 6 Florida on Saturday.
Newell had a strong SEC opener, leading the team with 13 points, 13 rebounds and two blocks, in the Bulldogs’ 62-51 loss at No. 23 Ole Miss on Saturday.
Saturday marked the seventh time Newell has led UGA in scoring in its 13-game season.
“Home games are a must win, so we’re just going to get back to it on Tuesday,” Newell said.
Fellow 6-11 freshman Somto Cyril has been a key contributor at times, but the young center played just 12 minutes against Ole Miss partially due to defensive struggles, according to White.
White filled some of those minutes with Appalachian State transfer Justin Abson, providing a veteran presence at the base of the defense.
Georgia has proved it can keep pace with AP Top 25 teams, turning in competitive losses against Ole Miss and No. 7 Marquette. The Bulldogs also upset then-No. 22-ranked St. John’s in late November.
White knows that Kentucky – like much of Georgia’s remaining schedule – presents a whole new world of problems on the court. The longtime SEC coach is focused on maturing his team.
“It’s not as much about results with this team that we’ve got,” White said. “We’re building, we’re very young, we’re a team that doesn’t have a ton of winning experience. So for us, it’s about preparation.”
White’s team might not be as seasoned as much of the conference, but the third-year coach recognizes Georgia needs to win at home if it wants to keep tournament hopes alive. ESPN’s Joe Lunardi has the Bulldogs projected as a No.8-seed as of Jan. 3.
Georgia is 28-132 against Kentucky all-time. The Bulldogs beat the Wildcats the last time they met in Athens in February 2023 by a 75-68 count.
Tuesday will also be a homecoming of sorts for Kentucky coach Mark Pope and assistant Mark Fox.
Pope began his coaching career as the director of basketball operations under Fox, who led the Bulldogs from 2009-2018. Pope remained with the Bulldogs for the 2009-2010 season before taking an assistant job at Wake Forest.
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