It all comes down to this: The No. 8 Georgia Bulldogs face off against the No.
9 Saint Louis Billikens in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. While the winner may face a tough challenge in the Round of 32 against the No. 1-seeded Michigan Wolverines, March Madness is all about surprises.
So, who’s coming out on top in Buffalo late Thursday night?
Let’s dive into what the experts are saying about this matchup.
Expert Picks: Georgia vs. Saint Louis
Several college basketball experts have weighed in on the Thursday night clash, and here’s what they’re predicting.
ESPN’s Jay Bilas favors Georgia, pointing out, "Saint Louis hunts great shots and runs a beautiful offense. Georgia has better athletes -- sophomore Jeremiah Wilkinson averages 17.0 points per game -- and can beat Saint Louis in transition." Bilas believes Georgia’s pace and athleticism could disrupt Saint Louis at crucial moments.
Marc Weiszer from the Athens Banner-Herald is backing the Bulldogs, noting, "The Billikens shared the Atlantic 10 regular season title, but have played just three Quad 1 opponents compared to Georgia's 13." Weiszer emphasizes Georgia’s battle-tested nature in league play as a significant advantage over Saint Louis.
Jeremy Cluff of the Arizona Republic also picks Georgia. "Saint Louis went 28-5 on the season, but it didn't exactly face a difficult schedule.
Georgia has been tested by a tough SEC slate. That will help the Bulldogs late against the Billikens."
Cluff echoes the sentiment that Georgia’s challenging schedule will pay dividends.
Bill Speros from Bookies.com is on board with Georgia too. "Georgia won five of their last six to close the regular season with a program-record 22 wins under Mike White.
He's quietly built a dangerous squad led by guard Jeremiah Wilkinson (17.0 points per game). Robbie Avila's injury has been priced in here."
Speros highlights Avila’s injury as a key factor.
Daniel Mader of Sporting News completes the sweep for Georgia: "The pick here is Georgia, thanks to its strong offense, Cyril's defensive presence vs. Avila, and a lot more games against top teams in 2025-26." Mader combines the idea of Georgia’s tough schedule with Somto Cyril’s potential impact against Avila.
All five experts picking Georgia might raise some eyebrows, but they each make compelling points.
What Georgia Fans Should Expect
From a Georgia perspective, advancing to the Round of 32 should be the expectation. Anything less would be a letdown for this year’s team.
Building momentum each year is crucial. Winning 20 games in 2024 was a milestone, and making the NCAA Tournament last year was significant.
Now, it’s about taking the next step.
Georgia should feel optimistic because they boast a deeper, more athletic, and more experienced team. While Saint Louis is a solid basketball program, their competition level in the A-10 doesn’t match Georgia’s SEC battles.
That experience could be the difference. If Georgia falters, it might be due to not capitalizing on opportunities down low.
Ultimately, if Cyril maintains his composure, Wilkinson and his teammates hit their shots, and Coach Mike White manages the game well, Georgia should be in good shape to advance. With Michigan waiting in the wings, expect a competitive showdown between the Bulldogs and the Billikens.
Right now, Georgia appears to be the smart pick, but it’s likely to be a close one.