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Written by: E. George
Published March 19, 2025 @ 2:30 PM ET
CLARKE COUNTY, Ga. – The Georgia Bulldogs are headed to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 10 years, securing an at-large bid and the No. 9 seed in the Midwest Regional. The Bulldogs will face off against Gonzaga, the No. 8 seed, in the tournament’s first round on Thursday at Intrust Bank Arena in Wichita, Kansas.
Both teams feature bulldogs as their mascot, and the event will be a battle of the dogs. Tip-off is scheduled for 4:35 PM ET, and the game will be broadcast nationally on TBS. As the tournament officially begins, Georgia looks to make a deep run, marking its 10th NCAA Tournament appearance in school history.
Georgia’s inclusion in the tournament came as a pleasant surprise for both the team and fans. After a challenging season that included both highs and lows, the Bulldogs ended the regular season with a 20-13 record.
Despite struggles in conference play, finishing 8-11 in the Southeastern Conference, Georgia secured a place in the tournament partly due to its competitive schedule. The Bulldogs faced some of the toughest teams in the nation, including eight games against top-10-ranked opponents.
The team’s recent success has been driven by key players such as Asa Newell, an SEC All-Freshman selection. Newell leads the team with averages of 15.3 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. Sophomore Silas Demary Jr. has also played a pivotal role, contributing 13.4 points, 3.1 assists, and 1.7 steals per game. Alongside them, sophomore Blue Cain and graduate Dakota Leffew have consistently scored 9.6 and 9.5 points per game, respectively.
Head coach Mike White expressed pride in the team’s achievement, highlighting the historic nature of Georgia’s return to the tournament after an eight-year absence. The Bulldogs’ journey to this point has been marked by significant challenges, including a midseason slump where the team dropped nine of 11 games. However, Georgia’s quality wins over teams like Florida, Kentucky, and Oklahoma helped secure their spot in the tournament.
While the Bulldogs are focused on their upcoming game, they also recognize the challenge presented by Gonzaga. The Zags come into the tournament with a 25-8 record and have been a consistent presence in March Madness, making their 26th consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance. As the West Coast Conference champions, Gonzaga will bring considerable experience to the floor, but Georgia is determined to prove that it can compete at the highest level.
Fans interested in attending the game can purchase tickets through the NCAA’s official ticketing website. The Bulldogs are now preparing for their most crucial game of the season, hoping to advance past the first round and continue their march through March Madness.
The university’s women’s basketball team will also participate in the NCAA Tournament.