Georgia Final Four squad excited by current state of the program

ATHENS, Ga. — Georgia Basketball’s 1983 Final Four squad was in town this weekend to celebrate the 40-year anniversary of their big accomplishment. They were treated to watching the Bulldogs take home a big victory over Kentucky on Saturday, one that legendary head coach Hugh Durham seemed to see coming. He’s been incredibly impressed by current coach Mike White throughout his career and is excited about the direction the Dawgs are headed in.

“I’ve known of Coach White for a number of years,” Durham said. “When he was at Louisiana Tech, I knew who the coach at Louisiana Tech was but they got in the NIT and had a chance to play the University of Georgia. They came in and beat Georgia. A year later, they get in the NIT and play Florida State. They play Florida State in Tallahassee, and they beat Florida State. In a regular season game one of those years in there they play Oklahoma, and they put 100 on the board against Oklahoma in Norman.”

“So when Florida’s got an opening, I work out in the morning with a number of people who graduated from the University of Florida and try to stay as far away from them as I can, but every once in a while we get in a discussion and they were saying, ‘Who do you think’s gonna get that job?’ I said, ‘Well I don’t know,’ and I didn’t know Mike White other than the fact he was at Louisiana Tech, had beaten one SEC on the road, one ACC team on the road, he goes to Oklahoma and they were being coached by Lon Kruger who’s an outstanding coach and goes in there and puts 100 on them on their home court. His name was being mentioned, and I said, ‘Don’t be surprised if this guy doesn’t get the job.'”

Durham added his excitement for White to now be on the other side of the Georgia-Florida rivalry having been hired away by the Bulldogs in March. White led Florida to the NCAA Tournament in four of his seven seasons in Gainesville with one of the big dances being cancelled due to COVID. He also went to the NIT in his first and last seasons meaning that every year there was postseason basketball White’s Gators were involved.

“He got the job, and I had never talked to Mike White. Our paths didn’t cross, I had been out of coaching when he was getting started, but you follow people, and when he came here, I thought he was really a good fit for the University of Georgia,” Durham continued. “I think he is. I’m happy he’s here, and I think a lot of people are happy he’s here. And I think they got a heck of a chance to win today. I really do.”

“I’ve seen them play quite a bit, and I’ve been to practice. I was actually at practice a couple of months ago when Dominique (Wilkins) was visiting with his son on an unofficial visit. I’ve gotten good vibes from him (White),” James Banks, a former Bulldog All-American and member of the 1983 squad, added. “Our daughter attended Florida, she got an undergrad from Florida so she was always excited. She keeps up with that stuff better than I do, but I think he’s a good fit. I think he’s going to do a good job if he can recruit the state. Just watching them play, they play hard. They compete in practice, kind of reminiscent of some of the things we did in practice with the intensity level that they play with.”

After the game, White was grateful for the praise from Durham and shared on interactions they’ve had since he arrived. The two sat down to talk shortly after he was hired but White was looking forward to getting to spend more time with the ’83 squad, both this weekend and as his time as the coach in Athens continues.

“Had a long sit down with him in the office a few months ago, and it was really cool exchanging stories. He did most of the talking, had a chance to ask him some questions and sometimes he would just follow up some answers with some other stories,” White said. “It was really cool, a really neat opportunity for me individually. Got a picture with him of course and look forward to meeting several others. Really cool day for Georgia Basketball all the way around.”