Mike White gives key to Georgia's success in the paint

Georgia defeated Notre Dame on Saturday 77-62 in Atlanta in an impressive win highlighted by a strong performance in the paint for the Bulldogs. Georgia outscored the Fighting Irish 40-22 in the paint on Saturday, and after the game head coach Mike White revealed what led to such a strong showing around the basket.

“Probably more than anything our back court giving it to those guys. We’ve become a better passing team over time, still got a ways to go, but there were some post touches I thought we had where we didn’t throw it down there,” White said.

The Bulldogs assisted on 14 baskets this past weekend, feeding big men like Braelen Bridges and Matthew Alexander-Moncrieffe in the post all night. Georgia’s front court had a strong performance thanks to their back court, but White made it clear that it was also a product of improvement through practice.

“But some of it is ability, and every day you try to improve your skill level in certain areas,” White said. “You try to shoot it better, we’re trying to convert from three, from the foul line better, but another factor is the willingness.”

Bridges had a monster night for the Bulldogs, making all nine of his shot attempts and ending the game with 18 points, just three points shy of matching his season high. Alexander-Moncrieffer joined the perfect shooting night party as well, not missing a single shot either on his way to a season high 15 points. The duo has been putting together a solid stretch of games for Georgia in the paint, and it seems like their teammates are starting to take notice.

“And I think that our perimeter guys are starting to understand that, at least in certain matchups, we have an advantage there and I’m more bought in maybe to throw this guy or that guy the ball in a position to have success and I may benefit in the long run,” White explained. “So we’re continuing to learn each other.”

Georgia is learning each other at the right time, as they face Chattanooga and Rider at home before kicking off their SEC schedule. The Bulldogs have a tall task ahead of them, opening up conference play at home against No. 23 Auburn on January 4. But definitely have momentum to build on and a few games to maintain it before their marquee matchup with the Tigers.