There is no denying it now. The Georgia Bulldogs are no longer any semblance of a bubble team. That is because they have unofficially clinched their spot into the NCAA Tournament. Georgia improved to 21-9 overall and 9-8 in SEC play with a 98-88 home win over the No. 16 Alabama Crimson Tide. Not does this Quad 1 improve Georgia to 6-7 in games of that designation, but Alabama just got exposed.
Mike White has been in his bag of late leading Georgia. He already looks like a genius for moving Marcus Millender into the starting lineup in lieu of having Jeremiah Wilkinson coming off the bench as the team's new sixth man. White often has his detractors, but he deserves all the flowers for having his team NCAA Tournament-ready with the SEC Tournament rapidly approaching. This team is on fire!
As far as what Georgia did to knock Alabama down a peg, the Dawgs shot the ball tremendously well, took advantage of second-chance scoring opportunities, forced the issue on the offensive glass, and made Alabama pay for turning the basketball over. Georgia shot a blistering 53 percent from the field and 45 percent from distance. The Dawgs out-rebounded Alabama, 40-30. Somto Cyril owned!
Georgia had 25 second-chances points, 20 off Alabama turnovers, and allowed only 18 in the paint.
Georgia showed the SEC that you can attack Alabama ferociously and win
Even though Georgia was the slightest of home favorites in this Quad 1 game, beating Alabama to a pulp was a statement victory for this team. Georgia was simply sharper than the Crimson Tide in just about every metric. Yes, the Dawgs turned the ball over a bit more, but that comes with the territory of playing with such tremendous pace. Georgia plays in a manner to create more offensive possessions.
Overall, most other teams are not going to be able to attack Alabama as ferociously in all areas of the game like Georgia can. Their backcourt trio of Blue Cain, Millender, and Wilkinson is a perpetual ice cream headache for any quality team to defend. Cyril is a problem down low as one of the biggest bullies in the paint in the league. Also, Kanon Catchings lit them up from the wing with his 32 points!
Ultimately, Georgia just showed the rest of the SEC that if you can get Alabama backpedalling, you can knock them on the floor and out of the game. Of course, this seems to be contingent on shooting the ball incredibly well from the field. Georgia making 53-percent of its shots from the floor played a part in the Bulldogs always having the Crimson Tide at arm's length. The Crimson Tide can get got...
Right now, Georgia fans have to wonder how much higher this team can climb beyond a No. 9 seed.