22. Georgia (8-1)
Last year was something of a step forward for the Georgia program as they made it back to the Big Dance, though they’re looking to show that it wasn’t just some fluke. Early wins over Georgia Tech and Xavier might not age as great, but the Bulldogs are stockpiling wins with a relatively young lineup and a few new pieces playing major roles.
Still clawing back after a tough overtime loss against Clemson, the Bulldogs got their most emphatic win of the young season last season as part of the ACC/SEC Challenge. Georgia headed to Florida State and left Tallahassee with a 107-73 victory. Jeremiah Wilkinson scored 22 points while Blue Cain and Kanon Catchings put up 17 points apiece in one of the best nights for the program in recent memory.
There were major questions early in the season about shotmaking ability for these Bulldogs, but they kept winning games regardless. The metrics like the work that Georgia has put in, even if not against the strongest opposition, but they’ll get those chances to prove themselves once SEC play begins after New Year’s. The last major test of nonconference play comes next week against Cincinnati and could really cement this nice start to the season.