The unranked Georgia Bulldogs’ March Madness dreams got a massive boost Tuesday night after pulling off a stunning 88-83 upset over No. 3 Florida in Athens. After storming out to a commanding 26-point first-half lead, Georgia held off a furious Gators comeback in the final minutes, reclaiming the lead in the closing seconds to secure its biggest win of the season.
This victory marks Georgia’s first win over an AP top-three team since 2004 and snaps a 17-game losing streak against top-three opponents. More importantly, it strengthens the Bulldogs’ case for an NCAA Tournament bid, giving them a much-needed Quadrant 1 win.
Georgia’s Fast Start Sets the Tone
Georgia, now 17-11 overall and 5-10 in SEC play, wasted no time jumping on No. 3 Florida, coming out with relentless energy and efficiency. The Bulldogs shot 52.6% from the field in the first half and buried Florida under a wave of three-pointers, building a massive lead that reached as many as 26 points.
Sophomore guard Silas Demary Jr. led the charge with 21 points, while freshman forward Asa Newell added 15 in a balanced scoring effort. Georgia’s ability to push the pace and find open looks put Florida on its heels early, forcing the Gators into a desperate second-half rally.
Despite trailing by double digits for most of the night, Florida clawed its way back with a stunning 13-0 run late in the second half. The Gators finally took their first lead of the game at 80-78 with 1:28 remaining after a layup from Thomas Haugh.
Georgia immediately shut down Florida’s momentum, though, with a clutch three-pointer by sophomore guard Blue Cain to retake the lead.
BLUUUUUUUEEEEEEEE pic.twitter.com/VCEkZoBscX
— Georgia Basketball (@UGABasketball) February 26, 2025
Florida guard Will Richard poured in a career-high 30 points for Florida, but it wasn’t enough to prevent the Gators from suffering a rare setback as they continue to battle for SEC supremacy.
How This Upset Shapes Georgia Bulldogs’s March Madness Outlook
Entering the night, Georgia was on the outside looking in for an NCAA Tournament berth, but this win changed the equation. The Bulldogs picked up their third Quadrant 1 win, giving their resume a major boost just weeks before Selection Sunday.
With upcoming games against Texas and other SEC contenders, Georgia still has work to do. But this victory against a Florida team that had won 12 straight in this rivalry gives them momentum at the right time.
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Georgia will hit the road for a showdown against Texas on Saturday, looking to build on this signature win. Florida, meanwhile, returns home to face No. 12 Texas A&M, hoping to bounce back and solidify its positioning for a high seed in the NCAA Tournament.
For the Bulldogs, the message is clear: They’re not done yet.
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