With less than five weeks to go before Selection Sunday, Georgia basketball is right in the thick of the postseason conversation - and Saturday’s win at LSU couldn’t have come at a better time.
The Bulldogs had dropped three straight, and their NCAA Tournament stock was starting to wobble. But that road victory helped steady the ship, giving Georgia a much-needed jolt as they navigate the back half of their SEC schedule. Now sitting at 17-6 overall and 5-5 in conference play, the Bulldogs are back in a solid position to make a second straight appearance in the Big Dance - something that hasn’t happened often in Athens.
Next up? A marquee matchup on Wednesday against No.
14 Florida - the defending national champs and arguably the SEC’s top team this season. It’s a high-stakes opportunity for Georgia to add a signature win to its résumé and continue climbing the seed lines.
According to projections from barttorvik.com, the Bulldogs are on pace to finish the regular season at 21-10 with a 9-9 record in the SEC. That would likely be enough to punch their ticket to March Madness, especially given the strength of their overall résumé.
For guard Justin Bailey, the tournament chase is personal. The former Wofford standout was part of a team that reached the NCAA Tournament last year, and he’s brought that experience - and hunger - to Georgia.
“It’s something I hold dearly to me,” Bailey said. “Just trying to get to that place again.
It’s something I want for my teammates as well. … The older guys, that’s our main focus - trying to get the younger guys to understand how important it is to be the same consistently every day.”
That leadership is going to be crucial down the stretch. Georgia’s schedule doesn’t get any easier, and every game from here on out carries tournament implications.
Where Georgia Stands in the Latest Bracketology Projections
Right now, bracketologists are generally in agreement: Georgia is a tournament team, but not quite a lock just yet. Most have the Bulldogs slotted in the 8-to-10 seed range - a clear sign of respect for their body of work, but also a reminder that there’s little margin for error.
Here’s a snapshot of the latest projections:
- USA TODAY has Georgia as a No. 8 seed, matched up against No. 9 seed Wisconsin in the East Region, with the game slated for Oklahoma City.
- Fox College Hoops’ Mike DeCourcy places the Bulldogs as a No. 10 seed, facing No.
7 Saint Louis in the West Region. Site TBD.
- ESPN’s Joe Lunardi echoes that projection: Georgia as a No. 10 seed vs. Saint Louis, this time in the East Region with the game in Saint Louis.
- The Athletic’s Joe Rexrode also has Georgia as a No. 10 seed, going up against No. 7 Iowa in the Midwest Region - again, in Oklahoma City.
- Jerry Palm (Palm Brackets) sees Georgia as a No. 10 seed as well, this time facing No. 7 Louisville in the West Region, with the game in St.
Louis.
While the exact matchups and regions vary, the consensus is clear: Georgia is dancing - for now. But they’re hovering near the bubble’s edge, and a few missteps could change that outlook quickly.
Breaking Down the Bulldogs’ Résumé
Let’s take a closer look at the numbers behind Georgia’s tournament case:
- NET Ranking: 35
- KenPom Ranking: 37
- Quad 1 Record: 3-4
- Quad 2 Record: 5-1
- Quad 3 Record: 1-1
- Quad 4 Record: 8-0
That’s a solid profile, especially with a combined 8-5 record in Quads 1 and 2. Georgia has shown it can win against quality opponents - and more importantly, they’ve avoided any disastrous losses in Quad 4.
Their best win? A victory over No.
24 Arkansas in the NET rankings - a resume-booster that continues to hold weight. The lone Quad 3 blemish isn’t ideal, but it’s not a deal-breaker either, especially if the Bulldogs can stack a few more quality wins before the SEC Tournament.
What’s Next for Georgia
The road ahead is filled with opportunity - and pressure. The SEC is deep this year, and Georgia’s remaining schedule includes several chances to pick up key wins or, conversely, take damaging losses.
Wednesday’s showdown with Florida looms large. Not only is it a chance to knock off a top-15 team and defending champ, it’s also a potential turning point in Georgia’s seeding outlook.
A win could vault them firmly into the single-digit seed range. A loss?
Not catastrophic, but it keeps them in that 9-10 seed limbo where first-round matchups are always a coin flip.
For a program looking to establish itself as a perennial tournament contender, this stretch run is about more than just wins and losses. It’s about building consistency, toughness, and belief - all things that Bailey and the older core are trying to instill in the younger guys.
Georgia’s in the mix. They’ve got the talent, the résumé, and the opportunity. Now it’s about closing strong and proving they belong when the bracket goes live in March.