Georgia Runs Wild Against Western Carolina, But Defensive Questions Linger
The Georgia Bulldogs didn’t play a perfect game Thursday night-but when you drop 112 points and cruise to a 30-point win, perfection isn’t exactly required. In front of the home crowd, the Dawgs rolled past Western Carolina, 112-82, in a game that showcased their offensive firepower and depth, even as a few defensive cracks showed early on.
Let’s dig into what stood out from Georgia’s latest non-conference win.
Pushing the Pace, Setting the Tone
If there’s one thing this Georgia team knows how to do, it’s run. The Bulldogs came out with tempo and never really let off the gas pedal. From the opening tip, they dictated the pace, forcing Western Carolina to play catch-up possession after possession.
Georgia shot a blistering 54.3% from the field in the first half and kept the pressure on in transition. The fastbreak game wasn’t just effective-it was relentless. Whether it was off a rebound, a turnover, or even a made basket, Georgia pushed the ball up the floor and found ways to score in bunches.
This team entered the week as the top-scoring squad in the country, and Thursday night did nothing to shake that status. The Catamounts didn’t offer much resistance, but Georgia didn’t ease off either. They played their game, and once again, it worked.
Scoring by Committee
Some nights, one or two players carry the load. Thursday wasn’t one of those nights. This was a full-team effort, and it showed in the box score.
Jordan Ross got things rolling early, while Jeremiah Wilkinson, Jake Wilkins, and Blue Cain chipped in buckets before halftime. In the second half, it was Smurf Millender and Somto Cyril stepping up, with Wilkinson continuing to pour it on down the stretch.
Wilkinson finished with 26 points-his biggest night yet in a Georgia uniform-while Millender added 17. It wasn’t just the points, though.
It was the rhythm and flow of the offense. The Bulldogs spaced the floor well, moved the ball, and got contributions from all over the roster.
Head coach Mike White put it plainly: “I think we're hard to guard. We can space you with lineups where four or five guys can make shots.” He also pointed out the impact of the freshmen, calling out Kareem Stagg and Jake Wilkins for their effort and energy.
This kind of balanced scoring is exactly what Georgia needs heading into SEC play. If they can keep this many players involved and confident, they’ll be a tough out for anyone.
Paint Problems Early
For all the offensive fireworks, the first half exposed one area where Georgia still needs to tighten up: interior defense.
Western Carolina went right at the Bulldogs in the paint and found success early. By halftime, both teams had 22 points down low-a number that didn’t sit well with Georgia center Somto Cyril.
“Today we gave up how many? 82?”
Cyril said postgame. “I know for sure-if we play the way we play in practice... that team is not going to score 50.”
To Georgia’s credit, they made adjustments in the second half and were much more active around the rim. Cyril himself stepped up, finishing with a career-high 14 points and 10 rebounds, helping the Bulldogs pull away.
Still, the early defensive lapses were a reminder that this team-while explosive-has work to do on the other end if it wants to compete with the elite offenses in the SEC.
Handling Business at Home
This wasn’t Georgia’s cleanest win, but it was another example of the Bulldogs doing what good teams do: taking care of business against lesser competition.
The victory pushed Georgia to 10-1 on the season and extended its home non-conference winning streak to 34 games. Under Mike White, the Bulldogs are now 31-2 against mid-major opponents, with both losses coming on the road.
There’s still plenty to clean up, but Georgia never let Western Carolina get within striking distance after halftime. That kind of control-even on an off night defensively-is a sign of a team that’s learning how to win consistently.
Turning Point: The 11-0 Run
The game was still within reach for Western Carolina late in the first half-until Georgia slammed the door shut.
With 5:29 left before halftime and the Bulldogs up by nine, they rattled off an 11-0 run that turned the game into a blowout. Wilkinson hit a pair of free throws, Ross added a layup, Cyril chipped in a free throw and a thunderous putback dunk, Wilkins drilled a corner three, and Kanon Catchings capped it off with a free throw of his own.
Just like that, it was 54-34, and Western Carolina never got closer.
Shooting the Lights Out
The Bulldogs were locked in from the field all night. Georgia shot 59.3%-their best shooting performance of the season, topping the 57.1% mark they hit earlier at Florida State.
When you shoot nearly 60% and put up 112 points, it’s going to be a long night for whoever’s on the other side.
They Said It
Head coach Mike White didn’t sugarcoat the defensive issues.
“I'm a little disappointed in our effort overall. Defensively, lack of communication, some miscues.
It's just not important enough to us right now. It's got to be more important defensively, collectively, and we've got to be more committed collectively if we're going to guard some high-level offenses in the SEC.”
White knows the offense is humming-but he’s also fully aware that the next level of competition will demand more discipline on defense.
Top Dawgs
4. Smurf Millender - Brought energy off the bench and was a perfect 8-for-8 from the free-throw line. Helped fuel multiple runs.
3. Jordan Ross - Set the tone early and finished with a season-high 15 points. Steady and efficient.
2. Somto Cyril - Dominated the second half with a double-double (14 points, 10 boards) and gave Georgia a much-needed interior presence.
What’s Next
Georgia gets back to work with a quick turnaround before their next matchup on Monday. The offense is clicking, the depth is showing, and the wins are stacking up-but if this team wants to make noise in the SEC, the defensive focus needs to match the offensive firepower.
For now, though, it’s another win, another triple-digit performance, and another reminder that when the Dawgs get rolling, they’re a lot to handle.