Georgia, Vanderbilt tangle with chance to prove tourney credentials

Field Level Media|published: Fri 7th March, 14:52 2025

Feb 25, 2025; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs forward Asa Newell (14) gets fouled by Florida Gators forward Alex Condon (21) late in the game during the second half at Stegeman Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Seemingly secure on the right side of the NCAA Tournament bubble, Georgia entertains Southeastern Conference foe Vanderbilt on Saturday in Athens, Ga.

Georgia (19-11, 7-10 SEC) hasn't made the tourney in a decade, but a three-game winning streak pushed the Bulldogs closer to return to the postseason. CBS Sports bracketology Friday projected Georgia as a 10 seed, safely away from the "Last Four in" category. A senior day win on Saturday would go a long way in securing the Bulldogs' at-large chances.

Georgia avoided a potentially damaging loss to South Carolina, posting a 73-64 road win on Tuesday. For Bulldogs' head coach Mike White, the focus is solely on the regular-season finale.

"We just can't worry about that stuff," White said of the bracket predictions. "We're appreciative that we're getting positive accolades and attention, because our guys have earned that with their play. ... We know we have a huge opportunity Saturday against a Vanderbilt team that's had a wonderful year."

Freshman Asa Newell -- a projected first-round pack in the upcoming NBA draft -- leads Georgia with 15.1 points per game, followed by Silas Demary Jr.'s 13 and Dakota Leffew's 9.7.

Vanderbilt (20-10, 8-9) will look to right the ship following Tuesday's 90-77 home defeat against Arkansas, but the Commodores enter play winners in three of four. With victories over five Top 25 opponents and a NET ranking of 44, Vanderbilt is on track to hear its name on Selection Sunday for the first time since 2017.

In the loss to Arkansas, the Commodores shot just 38.3 percent from the field and their leading scorer on the season, Jason Edwards, finished 0-for-12.

"We just weren't right tonight," head coach Mark Byington said postgame. "We've got to own and we've got to fix it. We know it's not going to get any easier on the road against a tough Georgia team that's probably one of the hottest teams in the league."

Following Edwards' 16.7 points per game, Devin McGlockton and Tyler Nickel each average 10.5.

--Field Level Media

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