Georgia Basketball Heads to Tallahassee for Lone True Road Test in ACC/SEC Challenge
Georgia basketball is about to find out what it's really made of.
The Bulldogs, off to a strong 7-1 start and leading the nation in scoring, head to Tallahassee on Tuesday night to face Florida State in their only true road game of the nonconference schedule. It’s a high-stakes litmus test as part of the ACC/SEC Challenge-and it comes at a moment when Georgia is firing on all cylinders offensively.
Let’s set the stage.
Bulldogs Lighting Up the Scoreboard
Georgia hasn’t just been winning-they’ve been blitzing teams. After splitting a pair of tight neutral-site matchups in Charleston (a win over Xavier and an overtime loss to Clemson), the Bulldogs returned home and dropped 123 points on Tennessee Tech this past Saturday. That wasn’t just a win-it was a statement.
The Bulldogs set a school record with 21 made three-pointers in that game, hoisting a program-high 43 attempts from deep. That kind of volume-and efficiency-has helped push Georgia to the top of the national leaderboard in scoring (99.0 points per game) and fastbreak points (29.6 per game). Yes, you read that right: nearly 30 points a night just off the break.
This team isn’t just playing fast-they’re playing confident, and it’s showing in the box scores.
Florida State Looking to Bounce Back
Florida State, now under the direction of first-year head coach Luke Loucks (a former NBA assistant), enters this matchup at 5-2. But they’re coming off a rough one-a 95-59 loss to Texas A&M in Tampa that exposed some of their defensive issues.
Still, this is a team with talent. Just a few weeks ago, the Seminoles nearly knocked off Florida in Gainesville, falling 78-76 in a game that showed what they’re capable of when they’re locked in.
Georgia head coach Mike White isn’t taking them lightly.
“The way that Florida State played at Florida, when they’re playing like that, they can compete with anybody in the country,” White said. “We’ve got a great opportunity on Tuesday to see where we’re at.”
That’s the mindset you want heading into a game like this-respect for the opponent, but confidence in your own group.
Key Players to Watch
For Florida State, St. Bonaventure transfer Lajae Jones has been the go-to option, leading four Seminoles in double figures with 13.9 points per game. He’s the kind of versatile scorer who can impact the game in a lot of different ways.
On the Georgia side, guard Jeremiah Wilkinson continues to pace the Bulldogs with 16.5 points per game. He’s been the steady hand in a backcourt that’s playing with pace and purpose.
Tuesday night’s starting five for Georgia includes guards Jordan Ross, Blue Cain, and Wilkinson, with Kanon Catchings at forward and Somto Cyril anchoring the middle. That group has developed strong chemistry early in the season, and they’ll need it in a hostile environment like the Donald L. Tucker Center.
Early Game Flow: Bulldogs Set the Tone
Florida State struck first with a quick three, but Georgia wasted no time responding. The Bulldogs rattled off an 8-0 run and led 8-3 at the first media timeout. Florida State struggled to find the bottom of the net, opening 1-of-10 from the field, while Georgia’s defense racked up three early blocks-two from Cyril.
Kanon Catchings led the early scoring push with 3 points, and Georgia looked locked in on both ends.
That trend continued as Georgia pushed the lead to 19-8 midway through the first half. The Bulldogs were shooting 53 percent from the floor, though they’d only hit one of their first seven three-point attempts. Catchings had 8 points at that stage and accounted for the team’s lone triple.
Florida State tried to claw back with an 8-0 run of their own, fueled by a pair of threes. But Jake Wilkins answered with a three for Georgia, and the Bulldogs kept the Seminoles at bay, leading 26-18 with 7:26 to go in the half. Chauncey Wiggins was a bright spot for FSU with 6 early points.
Then came a pivotal stretch. With Georgia leading 39-28, officials reviewed a shoulder bump from Somto Cyril after a Florida State bucket-but no foul was called.
The Bulldogs capitalized on the momentum. Blue Cain hit a free throw, Dylan James scored on a putback, Wilkinson added a free throw, then buried a three to stretch the lead to 39-23 with under four minutes left in the half.
That’s the kind of sequence that can swing a game-and Georgia seized it.
Georgia’s Health and Upcoming Schedule
The Bulldogs came into this one healthy, which is always a plus this time of year. And after Tuesday’s road test, they’ll return to familiar territory for a stretch of games that includes Cincinnati (Dec. 13 in Atlanta), Western Carolina, West Georgia, and Long Island-all before SEC play begins in early January.
Here’s a quick look at what’s ahead:
- Dec. 13 vs. Cincinnati (Holiday Hoopsgiving in Atlanta)
- Dec. 18 vs. Western Carolina
- Dec. 22 vs. West Georgia
- Dec. 29 vs. Long Island
- Jan. 3 vs. Auburn (SEC opener)
Final Thoughts
This trip to Tallahassee isn’t just another game-it’s a measuring stick. Georgia’s been dominant at home and neutral sites, but the road is a different beast. And Florida State, despite its inconsistencies, has the length and athleticism to make things interesting.
If Georgia can bring the same pace, defensive intensity, and offensive rhythm they’ve shown through the first eight games, they’ll be in good shape. But this is college basketball-momentum shifts fast, and road wins are earned, not given.
Tipoff is set for 9 p.m. ET on ACC Network. Buckle up.