Oklahoma vs. Georgia: SEC Showdown Brings Opportunity for Sooners to Build Momentum
Saturday’s matchup between Oklahoma and Georgia at the Lloyd Noble Center isn’t just another SEC game-it’s a chance for both teams to recalibrate as the regular season hits its final stretch. Tipoff is set for 2:30 p.m. CT on the SEC Network, and while this will be only the fourth meeting all-time between the two programs, the stakes feel bigger than the history suggests.
For Oklahoma, the game represents a shot at sustaining momentum after finally snapping a brutal nine-game losing skid. For Georgia, it’s about stopping the bleeding after a recent slide that’s raised questions about consistency down the stretch.
Let’s break down what you need to know heading into Saturday’s clash.
Sooners Snap the Skid, But Questions Remain
Oklahoma (12-12, 2-9 SEC) heads into the weekend with a sigh of relief after escaping Nashville with a 92-91 win over Vanderbilt. But don’t let the final score fool you-OU was in control for most of that game, leading by 21 with under five minutes to play before nearly letting it slip away. The Sooners were outscored 32-12 down the stretch and had to survive a last-second push from the Commodores to avoid tying a 62-year-old program record for consecutive losses.
Still, a win is a win, and for a team that hadn’t tasted victory in over a month, it might be just the jolt of confidence they needed.
One major bright spot for Oklahoma has been the play of its transfer backcourt. Xzayvier Brown (via St.
Joseph’s) and Nigel Pack (from Miami) have been the engine of OU’s offense all season, and they’ve only turned up the heat lately. Over the last five games, Pack is averaging 18.6 points, with Brown right behind at 17.6.
Add in recent contributions from Tae Davis (Notre Dame transfer), who’s averaging 15.0 over the last two games, and the Sooners have a trio capable of putting pressure on opposing defenses.
Offensively, this team can fill it up. Oklahoma has scored 85 or more in half of its games this season (12 of 24), and they’re 10-2 when they hit that mark.
The problem? That offensive firepower hasn’t consistently translated in SEC play-they’ve hit 83+ just three times in 11 conference games.
And while the Sooners have shown they can build leads-they’ve led for at least 22 minutes in five of their last seven-they’ve also shown a troubling inability to close. Six losses in those seven games tell the story.
Their record at home in SEC play (1-4) also raises eyebrows, especially when you consider they’re 7-0 at home against non-conference opponents.
Georgia’s Fast-Paced Attack Has Hit a Speed Bump
Georgia (17-7, 5-6 SEC) comes in with a better overall record, but the Bulldogs are in a bit of a funk themselves. They’ve dropped four of their last five, including a lopsided 86-66 home loss to Florida earlier this week. That marked their third straight home loss, but oddly enough, they’ve been better on the road in SEC play (3-2) than in their own building (2-4).
Despite the recent slide, Georgia remains firmly in the NCAA Tournament conversation. They sit at No. 35 in the NCAA NET rankings and are currently projected as a 10-seed in the field of 68.
Offensively, this team is electric. The Bulldogs lead the SEC in scoring at 91.9 points per game and top the conference in both turnover margin (+3.87) and blocked shots (6.91 per game). Their average margin of victory-+13.6-is third-best in the league.
Sophomore guard Jeremiah Wilkinson is the tip of the spear, leading the team with 17.1 points per game. But Georgia’s offense isn’t a one-man show-three starters average double figures, and the team thrives in transition. In fact, no team in Division I scores more fast-break points than Georgia’s 22.3 per game.
And then there’s the dunking. Yes, dunking.
The Bulldogs have earned the nickname “Dunkyard Dogs” for a reason-nearly 19% of their field goals have been dunks this season (145 of 274), the highest percentage in the country. Leading the aerial assault is 6-foot-11 Somto Cyril, who’s thrown down 59 dunks so far-third-most in the nation and 21 more than any of his teammates.
Georgia’s athleticism and tempo make them one of the most entertaining teams in the country, but their recent defensive lapses and home struggles suggest there’s still work to be done if they want to make noise in March.
What to Watch For
This game will likely come down to pace and poise.
If Oklahoma wants to pull off the win, they’ll need to control the tempo and avoid getting into a track meet with Georgia. The Sooners have the offensive weapons to keep up, but they’ve struggled to sustain intensity for a full 40 minutes. That final five-minute collapse against Vanderbilt can’t happen again-not against a Georgia team that thrives on momentum and fast breaks.
On the flip side, Georgia has to prove it can get back to its early-season form. The Bulldogs have the firepower and depth to overwhelm opponents, but they’ve looked vulnerable during this recent stretch. If they can force turnovers and get out in transition, they’ll be tough to stop.
Final Thought
Both teams enter Saturday with something to prove. For Oklahoma, it's about showing that the Vanderbilt win wasn’t a fluke-and that they can finally close out a game at home. For Georgia, it's a chance to stop the skid and reassert themselves as a legitimate SEC threat heading into the final stretch of the season.
With both teams hungry and talented, expect a high-energy, fast-paced battle in Norman.
Prediction: Oklahoma 84, Georgia 77