The Georgia Bulldogs are climbing, and they’re doing it with purpose.
After cracking the AP Top 25 last week for just the second time since 2011, Georgia continued its upward trend, moving up two more spots to No. 23 in the latest poll. It’s a tangible sign of progress for a program that’s been grinding for national respect - and now, they’re starting to get it.
Georgia is part of a strong SEC showing in this week’s rankings, with six teams making the cut. Joining the Bulldogs are No.
11 Vanderbilt, No. 14 Alabama, No.
18 Arkansas, No. 19 Tennessee, and No.
22 Florida. It’s a reminder that in the SEC, there’s no such thing as a soft schedule - and Georgia’s rise is happening in one of the toughest conferences in college basketball.
The Bulldogs’ entry into the rankings last week came on the heels of a statement win over Cincinnati at a neutral site. It wasn’t just a résumé booster - it was a moment that showed this team can handle the spotlight. Head coach Mike White acknowledged the milestone but kept his team focused on the bigger picture.
"We'd like for our numbers to continue to improve," White said last week. "It's okay to feel good about it. It's cool for our fans, but it doesn't mean anything in terms of our ceiling and reaching our potential."
That’s the tone you want from a coach steering a team through a breakout season. Celebrate the progress, sure - but don’t lose sight of what’s still ahead.
And White made it clear the Bulldogs didn’t dwell on the ranking. After a short celebration, it was back to work.
The team shifted into learning mode, breaking down film from the Cincinnati game and sharpening their skills with mental reps and focused practices.
That mindset has paid off. Georgia heads into Monday’s matchup against West Georgia with a 10-1 record - a strong start that’s given them a real shot to stay ranked into the new year. After the Wolves, only Long Island stands between the Bulldogs and SEC play, which begins at home against Auburn on January 3.
This stretch is critical. Georgia has momentum, and they’re playing with the kind of confidence that only comes from winning - but they’re also showing the discipline to stay grounded. If they can take care of business in these final non-conference games, they’ll enter SEC play not just as a ranked team, but as a team that believes it belongs there.
For a program that’s spent years trying to climb back into the national conversation, that belief might be the most important development of all.