ATHENS, Ga. — After a decade-long drought, Georgia basketball fans may finally have something to celebrate. The Georgia Bulldogs clinched a spot in the NCAA Tournament hopes with a convincing 79-68 victory over Vanderbilt on Saturday. Asa Newell, a talented freshman forward, led the charge with 15 points, and afterwards, he confidently stated, “We’re going to be dancing.”
This win puts the Bulldogs at an overall record of 20-11 and 8-10 in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), a significant achievement given their struggles over the past several years. The victory against Vanderbilt was part of a strong finish for Georgia, which included an upset of the No. 3 Florida team by a score of 88-83 on February 25.
Georgia head coach Mike White expressed his confidence following the win, noting, “I would assume we’re in. I mean, we’re good. We’re good.” He emphasized the strength of the SEC, highlighting that several teams from the conference are likely headed to the NCAA Tournament and could make a substantial impact.
Meanwhile, Arkansas also improved its NCAA bid with a thrilling 93-92 win over Mississippi State. Coach John Calipari praised his team for their resilience, stating, “This team has been the most rewarding to me personally of any team I’ve coached.” Arkansas now sits at 19-12, sharing the same conference record as Georgia.
Other teams are also feeling the pressure as they vie for NCAA Tournament spots. Wake Forest wrapped up its regular season in strong fashion, beating Georgia Tech 69-43, but it remains uncertain if they will make the tournament after falling to No. 72 in the NCAA NET rankings.
Indiana scored a crucial win over Ohio State, lifting their overall record to 19-12 while putting them back on the tournament radar. On the flip side, North Carolina struggled against No. 2 Duke, falling 82-69, making their route to the NCAA Tournament more difficult.
The upcoming conferences are set to determine the final fates of these bubbling teams, as Georgia’s success against Vanderbilt may just be the momentum they need entering the postseason. With selections looming, all eyes will be on how these teams perform in the days ahead.
