Georgia Bulldogs
Record: 21-11, 11-7 SEC
Head coach: Mark Fox (6th season)
Season summary: The Bulldogs return to the tournament for the first time since 2011 for the second dance of Fox's tenure. The team might have gained the most attention for its nine-point second half lead against Kentucky back on Mar. 3, but allowed the Wildcats to crawl back into the game and lost 72-64. This has been a theme for Georgia all season, as it has come close against a handful of ranked opponents but failed to notch a win against a team in the top 25. That will have to change in the tournament when the competition gets stiffer, beginning with a Michigan State team that streaked into the Big 10 tournament final last weekend. Forward Marcus Thornton (12.3 PPG, 7.2 RPG) is a versatile swingman that has a knack for getting to the rim—something he will have to do if the Bulldogs want to make it past the first round for the first time since 2002.
How they make a run: Thornton becomes a force around the rim and Georgia manages to finish games, something it could not always do in the regular season.
How they falter: The Bulldogs only notched two wins against tournament teams—sweeping Ole Miss in SEC play—and the competition in the big dance proves too much for a team lacking big wins this season.
Get The Chronicle straight to your inbox
Signup for our weekly newsletter. Cancel at any time.