SEC Basketball: Alabama, Auburn leads way-too-early power rankings for 2024-25 season

12. Georgia Bulldogs

It wasn’t all fairy tales and roses in Mike White’s second year at the helm. The Bulldogs found themselves sitting near the NCAA Tournament discussion in late January but would fall in 11 of their final 14 games.

Nevertheless, the Bulldogs did accept a bid to the NIT, recording wins over Xavier, Wake Forest and Ohio State before losing to Seton Hall in the semifinals, finishing their 2023-24 campaign on a strong note.

Can this be the year that Georgia breaks through? It’s not entirely as far-fetched as it seems. But a lot will need to go right in the ultra-competitive SEC.

A Silas Demary Jr. and Tryin Lawrence (Vanderbilt) backcourt is quite formidable. The Bulldogs retooled their frontcourt, landing Justin Abson (Appalachian State) and RJ Godfrey (Clemson).

The 10th-best composite recruiting class, according to 24/7 Sports, headlined by a pair of frontcourt pieces in Asa Newell and Somoto Cyril gives Georgia upside to work with, too.

The Bulldogs have the pieces on paper to be competitive in the SEC. Unfortunately for Mike White’s group, the SEC, on paper, will be just as competitive. Mike White has done a noteworthy job constructing this roster, but it's hard to envision the Bulldogs breaking through in one of the deeper and more talented conferences in college basketball next season. 

But don’t expect the Bulldogs to be a pushover.