The Georgia Bulldogs are ranked in the top-25 in basketball ahead of UGA's SEC opener against Auburn on Jan. 3
The Georgia Bulldogs basketball team wrapped up nonconference play and is 12-1 after defeating the Long Island University Sharks 89-74. Georgia moved to 9-0 at home, but has bigger challenges ahead with SEC action starting soon. UGA remains ranked as the No. 24 team in the country in the USA TODAY Coaches Poll for Dec. 29.
Georgia's latest win needed second half comeback. Georgia trailed by three points at the half before outscoring LIU by 18 points in the second half. Georgia got a four-block performance from center Somto Cyril. The Bulldogs had Blue Cain, Marcus Millender and Justin Bailey all score in double figures.
"We found a way to win (after) we were down 11," Georgia coach Mike White said after the game. "Could have gone either way. Made some plays in the mid second half. I thought our bench played really well, strung together some stops, which allowed us to catch up and then build a lead. LIU, I would think they have a really strong chance of playing in the NCAA Tournament. They are good, and they were prepared."
Georgia has earned a few big nonconference wins this season. The Bulldogs have wins over Cincinnati, Georgia Tech, Xavier and Florida State. Georgia's only three-point overtime loss to Clemson is UGA's only blemish so far.
The Dawgs will start SEC play in a position to make the NCAA Tournament. ESPN's bracketology has Georgia as a No. 8 seed in March Madness (updated on Dec. 30). Georgia starts conference play at home against Auburn on Saturday, Jan. 3 at 1 p.m. ET.
USA TODAY Coaches Poll for Dec. 29
| Rank | Team | Record | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michigan | 11-0 | 764 |
| 2 | Arizona | 12-0 | 753 |
| 3 | Iowa State | 12-0 | 700 |
| 4 | UConn | 12-1 | 670 |
| 5 | Duke | 11-1 | 611 |
| 6 | Purdue | 11-1 | 605 |
| 7 | Gonzaga | 13-1 | 584 |
| 8 | Houston | 11-1 | 570 |
| 9 | Michigan State | 11-1 | 527 |
| 10 | BYU | 12-1 | 521 |
| 11 | Vanderbilt | 12-0 | 423 |
| 12 | North Carolina | 12-1 | 401 |
| 13 | Nebraska | 12-0 | 357 |
| 13 | Louisville | 10-2 | 357 |
| 15 | Alabama | 9-3 | 315 |
| 16 | Texas Tech | 10-3 | 305 |
| 17 | Kansas | 10-3 | 281 |
| 18 | Arkansas | 9-3 | 240 |
| 19 | Illinois | 9-3 | 237 |
| 20 | Tennessee | 9-3 | 219 |
| 21 | Virginia | 11-1 | 175 |
| 22 | Florida | 8-4 | 143 |
| 23 | Iowa | 10-2 | 91 |
| 24 | Georgia | 11-1 | 65 |
| 25 | St. John's | 8-4 | 38 |
Schools Dropped Out
No. 25 USC;
Others Receiving Votes
Kentucky 35; USC 25; Utah State 14; Auburn 7; Saint Louis 6; Clemson 6; Seton Hall 5; Oklahoma State 5; Yale 4; UCLA 4; Saint Mary's 4; LSU 3; California 2; Villanova 1; Miami (OH) 1; Indiana 1;
This article originally appeared on UGA Wire: UGA basketball finishes near-perfect nonconference play, ranked No. 24
Category: General Sports
