The Diamond Dawgs are off and running in their opening game of the NCAA Tournament against Long Island. As the No. 3 overall seed, Georgia was expected to dominate their opening matchup and that is exactly what they've done so far.
Through nearly six innings of play the Bulldogs held a 15-1 lead over Long Island and it looked like nothing could stop them. Unfortunately the one thing out of their control (the weather) swept in and forced a weather delay.
The NCAA tried to avoid the weather by starting their game two hours earlier, but that unfortunately wasn't enough time to avoid a weather delay.
Weather creates a small problem for Georgia during Athens Regional
The most important thing to do in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament is win your first two games. Avoiding the loser's bracket is critical because that means Georgia wouldn't have to win three (or four) straight games just to advance to the Super Regional.
Georgia clearly is well on their way to winning their first game, but they have an even more important game against 3-seed Liberty looming on Saturday at 5:00 pm EST. Georgia would've had plenty of time to rest up and prepare for this game, but this weather delay is cutting into their time to get home and get that much needed rest.
Every passing second is just another second Georgia can't go home and relax, and in a weekend where Georgia could play up to three more games they need all the rest they can get. Liberty has already had ample time to head back to the hotel and relax, but Georgia will not be getting that luxury Friday night.
Lack of rest could catch up to Georgia at Athens Regional
It would be nice if the NCAA could just end this game early because the result is already known. Unfortunately that isn't a realistic possibility in the NCAA Tournament, so Georgia is going to have to wait this weather out.
Georgia in theory should still have plenty of time to rest up and get ready for their game on Saturday, but the weather is making them have even less time. Liberty however will not have to face this problem, so they could have a slight edge in Saturday's matchup.
At the end of the day Georgia will still be expected to win on Saturday. It's a shame that they have to deal with this weather now, but they are big enough favorites where it shouldn't be a problem.
Crazy things happen in the NCAA Tournament though. On Friday No. 1 overall seed UCLA just became the first No. 1 seed to lose their first game of the NCAA Tournament, so there is always a chance an upset could happen to Georgia too.
This weather delay however is not helping them avoid a future upset, but this team has proven to be resilient all season so they certainly won't let a little weather slow them down now.
Georgia and Long Island will resume play at 9:00 am EST Saturday morning.
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