The Georgia Bulldogs have quietly become one of the more intriguing stories in college basketball this season. At 11-1 and now ranked No. 23 in the country, they’ve built real momentum through non-conference play-and they’re not done yet. With one more game on the schedule before diving into the grind of SEC competition, Georgia is looking to stay sharp and finish this stretch strong.
Their next test comes Monday night at home against Long Island (6-6), with tipoff set for 7 p.m. ET on SEC Network+. Both teams are coming off extended breaks, but the Bulldogs are hoping theirs serves as a reset before things get real in conference play.
Head coach Mike White made it clear after Georgia’s last game-an emphatic 103-74 win over West Georgia-that this pause in the schedule wasn’t just about resting bodies. It was about recharging mentally, too.
“I think we've just got to recharge physically, but especially mentally,” White said. “I'm a big proponent of our guys getting away from it a little bit. I challenged them to get at their wind because December 26 is going to be very difficult.”
White’s been through enough of these holiday breaks to know what to expect. Wherever he’s coached, he’s seen players return refreshed-and that’s exactly what he wants to see when the Bulldogs reconvene.
And to be fair, Georgia had earned the breather. This team has been playing some high-level basketball, and their most recent performance was a showcase of how far they’ve come. Against West Georgia, the Bulldogs put together a 15-4 run early in the second half to break things open, racked up 17 assists, and continued to show off the kind of offensive rhythm that’s made them a tough out.
One of the biggest reasons for that rhythm? Somto Cyril.
The freshman center has been a force lately, and his 15-point, 15-rebound outing against West Georgia marked his second straight double-double. He’s been wearing a protective mask recently, and if you ask him, it might be a lucky charm-he’s gone a perfect 6-for-6 from the field in three consecutive games.
Cyril’s dominance inside has made life easier for Georgia’s guards, especially Blue Cain. The freshman wing has developed a strong connection with Cyril in the pick-and-roll and in transition.
“It gives me an opportunity to have a lot of assists because, I mean, he has really good hands,” Cain said. “You can kind of just throw it up to him, and he's going to make the shot or he's going to get fouled. Just selfishly, it makes the game super easy for me.”
Expect Cain to keep feeding Cyril against Long Island, a team that’s struggled to protect the paint. In their last outing, the Sharks gave up 52 points inside to FIU and couldn’t contain the Panthers despite pulling down a game-high 39 rebounds.
Offensively, Long Island does have some weapons. Guard Malachi Davis leads the team in scoring at 16.0 points per game and is a capable distributor with 40 assists on the season.
Forward Jamal Fuller is a stretch threat, shooting nearly 48% from beyond the arc while averaging 15.3 points and 5.5 rebounds. Guard Greg Gordon adds another layer with his efficient scoring and rebounding from the backcourt.
But the Sharks’ biggest issue has been ball security. Their assist-to-turnover ratio sits at 0.9, a stat that could spell trouble against a Georgia defense that thrives on pressure and transition opportunities.
For the Bulldogs, this game isn’t just about getting to 12-1. It’s about maintaining the habits that have gotten them here. With the SEC opener looming, this is the final tune-up-and the players know it.
“I think the same thing that we've just been doing up until now,” Cain said when asked about the team’s approach. “We have a break, so I think just getting back into the mode after the break. Yeah, just the same thing we've been doing.”
If Georgia can keep doing what they’ve been doing-sharing the ball, dominating the paint, and leaning on their improving chemistry-they’ll head into conference play with confidence and momentum. Monday night offers one last chance to tighten the screws before the real test begins.