Georgia's Mike White: Kentucky can 'potentially win the whole thing'

Georgia has won 11 of its last 12 and had No. 5 Tennessee on the ropes in the second half for its lone loss of that stretch. Then the Bulldogs responded by beating South Carolina on the road, a game head coach Mike White described as “our biggest win of the year.”

It’s been a strong run, but their next challenge is a brand-new beast. And they know it. Kentucky has the most potent offense in college basketball, and the game is being played on the Wildcats’ home floor. The Bulldogs are undefeated in true road games, but with all due respect to their previous competition, they’re not this — Mike White’s words, not mine.

“We’re continuing to stay the course in terms of our mentality on the road. We’re gonna have to catch some breaks, of course, and make some shots. The ball’s got to bounce our way and we’ve got to stay out of foul trouble. Good things are gonna have to happen for us, of course, especially early,” he said ahead of the matchup. “We’d like to hang in there as long as possible and see what happens down the stretch.

“Hopefully you’re within striking distance late in the game against a team who I think’s got a chance to potentially win the whole thing. They’re fantastic. And it’s in an environment that’s just as tough a place to play in as anywhere in college basketball.”

What’s so scary about the Wildcats? They lead the nation in scoring, obviously, putting up 90.8 points per contest on 50/40/75 splits. Georgia brings in a top-50 defense, but hey, so did Mississippi State — they were a top-10 defense. And Kentucky still put up 90, the most allowed by the Bulldogs since Feb. 2021.

To say the margin for error is low for this next group of Bulldogs would be an understatement.

“These guys, the way they’re playing downhill, the way they share it, the way the ball moves, it’s everybody,” White said. “If we’ve got a weak link defensively in this game, we’ll be exposed immediately. This is an electric offense. This is as good an offense as any offense in the country. Speed, shooting — 40 (percent) from three as a team, if I’m not mistaken. And 50 (percent) from the field, 2-to-1 assist-turnover ratio as a team. One through five, pass it and share it.

“We’ve got to be as good as we’ve been defensively all year and probably better to have a chance, starting with our transition defense. Their initial push is off the charts.”

The top priority on the scouting report? The top scorer on the team, obviously. Antonio Reeves has been an offensive anchor for the red-hot Wildcats, averaging 19.4 points on 51.7% shooting, 42.6% from three and 86.9% at the line while adding 4.4 rebounds per contest. He’s been terrific, a legitimate All-America and All-SEC contender.

The Bulldogs earlier this week let him go for 27 points on 12 shots. This group is looking to avoid similar production at all costs.

“He’s gotten a lot better in his time there, expanded his game,” White said. “His role has gotten bigger, of course. He’s having a heck of a season.”