Mike White shares what Georgia is playing for at this point in the season

At 16-13 overall and 6-10 in the conference now, following a 22-point loss to Missouri on Saturday, the season doesn’t need to end for the Georgia men’s basketball team to understand its fate. That doesn’t mean the Bulldogs don’t have anything to play for, as head coach Mike White noted.

For one, Saturday was senior day, and sending out the class of 2023 on a high note was, of course, a focus. And there’s also just pride and playing for their teammates, White said.

“We’re playing for our seniors today. Honor our seniors. And had a chance to, we’re one win away from tying the all-time school record, if I’m not mistaken, for home wins,” White said. “Our guys knew that. Playing for each other. One-two-three family, one-two-three team, what do you say in your huddles? Cause it means something. So first and foremost, it’s that. We’re playing for one another. We’ve got guys that like each other.”

With two more home games remaining, Georgia will have two more cracks at tying the home win mark that White alluded too.

They’ll also have a chance to put on a better showing than they did in the second half on Saturday. The difference White saw in the second half between his team and Missouri is the difference between and NCAA Tournament team and one that will be staying home in March.

“We give up that late 3 — we were blanketed all over them a couple times in the first half, but they can really, really shoot it. We could’ve been up four, been up eight, easily, if we finish strong in the first half. Maybe I shouldn’t say first 20, first 18 was really good. I don’t know what that lead was they had, then that second half, they were more mentally tough. They responded to our made field goals. And responded better to their adversities. Probably a big reason they’re going to the NCAA Tournament,” White said.