Life on the NCAA Tournament bubble is a balancing act - and for Georgia, the margin for error just got thinner. After a tough 86-66 loss to Florida, the Bulldogs (17-7, 5-6 SEC) don’t have much time to dwell.
They’ll need to bounce back quickly with a Saturday showdown on the road against Oklahoma (12-12, 2-9 SEC), tipping off at 3:30 p.m. ET on SEC Network.
This is a pivotal moment for Mike White’s squad. A win keeps them in the mix for March.
A loss? That bubble starts looking a little more fragile.
The Sooners may not have a sparkling record, but don’t let that fool you - they’re coming off their biggest win of the season, a 92-91 upset over No. 15 Vanderbilt.
It was their first victory over a ranked opponent since they knocked off Missouri last March, and it showed what this team is capable of when it clicks. They had the week off following that win, giving them extra time to rest, regroup, and prepare for Georgia - a luxury that hasn’t gone unnoticed.
Georgia head coach Mike White called Oklahoma’s midweek bye a “tough recipe,” especially given the kind of program Porter Moser runs. White praised the Sooners’ talent, versatility, and tempo, and he knows playing them on their home court only adds to the challenge. “We’ll have to play really well,” he said - and he’s not wrong.
Oklahoma may be struggling in the SEC standings, but they’ve got the tools to make life difficult for opponents. They rank sixth in the conference in three-point shooting (35.0%), sixth in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.44), and ninth in scoring offense, averaging 83.0 points per game. That combination of efficiency and pace can be a handful, especially for a Georgia team that’s still searching for consistency in conference play.
The Sooners are led by a quartet of playmakers who can hurt you in different ways. Xzayvier Brown is the engine, putting up 16.6 points per game on 47.8% shooting, while also dishing out 75 assists on the season.
Nijel Pack is a sharpshooter with range - he’s averaging 15.9 points and hitting over 42% from deep. Add in Tae Davis, who’s giving them 12.7 points and 6.0 boards per game with a 50% field goal clip, and Derrion Reid, another efficient scorer at 11.8 points per game, and you’ve got a balanced attack that can stretch defenses and push the pace.
For Georgia, the focus will be on turning the page and tightening up defensively after Wednesday’s loss. The Bulldogs have shown flashes this season, but their tournament hopes hinge on finding consistency - and fast. Saturday’s game in Norman won’t be easy, but it’s the kind of matchup that can define a team’s postseason trajectory.
The Bulldogs can’t afford to let this one slip. The bubble’s a fickle place - and it’s getting crowded.