Fresh off a landmark victory in Kentucky, Georgia's basketball squad is looking to build some momentum. For the first time since mid-January, the Bulldogs are eyeing consecutive wins. Standing in their way is a red-hot Texas team, currently riding a five-game winning streak.
The Bulldogs (18-8, 6-7 SEC) are set to face Texas (17-9, 8-5) on Saturday, February 21. Freshman forward Kareem Stagg emphasized the team's focus on consistency.
"Let’s go on a win streak," he said. "We were on a losing streak, but now that we’ve got out of the mud, we just want to keep winning."
Their previous encounter with Texas wasn't kind to Georgia. The Longhorns dominated the second half in Austin, outscoring the Bulldogs 57-30 and cruising to an 87-67 victory.
Texas shot an impressive 68.8% in that half, with junior standout Dailyn Swain leading the charge with 26 points. Swain, averaging 17.7 points and 7.4 rebounds per game, is a key player to watch as Texas ranks second in the SEC for field goal percentage during conference play.
Georgia coach Mike White is expecting a stronger defensive effort this time around. "In the second half in Texas, we didn’t even give those guys a game," White admitted.
"They weren’t as good then as they are now. We better play better defensively, or we’re not going to have a chance."
The Bulldogs' recent 86-78 win over Kentucky was a turning point, snapping a streak of five losses in six games. This resurgence coincided with the return of their top scorer, Jeremiah Wilkinson, who had been sidelined with a shoulder injury. Wilkinson made an immediate impact with 19 points, including three from beyond the arc, along with three assists.
Center Somto Cyril praised Wilkinson's influence, noting that his presence elevates the entire team. "When he’s in the game, he helps out everybody," Cyril said. "When he’s back and we’re at full strength, I think we’re one of the best teams in this league."
As the game unfolds, Georgia is off to a promising start. With 12:27 left in the first half, the Bulldogs lead 19-9, thanks in part to their sharp shooting from three-point range. Jeremiah Wilkinson and Smurf Millender are leading the charge from downtown.
Georgia's starting lineup remains consistent with their recent win against Kentucky, featuring guards Marcus "Smurf" Millender and Blue Cain, forwards Kanon Catchings and Kareem Stagg, and center Somto Cyril.
Tipoff at Stegeman Coliseum is set for 3:30 p.m., and fans can catch the action on the SEC Network. As the Bulldogs aim to maintain their winning ways, all eyes will be on how they handle the formidable Texas offense.