How Georgia can bounce back quickly, still make NCAA tournament

Georgia forward Asa Newell (14), Georgia guard Blue Cain (0) before Georgia's game against LSU at Stegeman Coliseum in Athens, Ga., on Wed., Feb. 5, 2025. (Ethan Levine/UGAAA)

ATHENS — Georgia basketball faces the equivalent of a full-court press with its remaining SEC schedule and an NCAA tournament appearance still within reach, even after the team took a home-court hit on Saturday night.

The Bulldogs failed to take care of business at home in Stegeman Coliseum in a critical showdown with Mississippi State, falling short 76-75 in gut-wrenching fashion.

Georgia guard Silas Demary Jr. played what Coach Mike White said was perhaps his best game with 23 points, 7 assists and 6 rebounds — until his one turnover in the final seconds with the Bulldogs (16-8, 4-7 SEC) needing a basket.

Style points and close calls don’t factor into the NCAA tourney metrics— this will be seen as a Quad 1 loss that has dropped UGA three spots in the “NET” rankings to 34th.

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