Last Updated: October 26, 2023, 03:30 IST
ATHENS, Ga.: Mike White stated he normally avoids citing the NCAA Tournament along with his gamers when discussing objectives throughout the preseason.
White has made an exception for this yr’s talks along with his Georgia gamers. The Bulldogs haven’t been invited to the NCAA celebration since 2015. Following a giant leap to .500 final season, his first with Georgia, White determined to be sure his gamers set their sights on ending the program’s NCAA drought.
White stated so much stands between the Bulldogs and the NCAA Tournament following a 16-16 general document and 6-12 end in Southeastern Conference video games final season.
“At the same time, we want to go to the NCAA Tournament,” White stated. “Georgia wants to go to the NCAA Tournament. These guys want to go to the NCAA Tournament.”
White stated he’s “talked about that goal with this team, to be totally transparent with you” greater than with any group in a very long time.
“Like, ‘Hey, what’s the goal for this program?’” White stated. “It’s to break through and get back to a tournament.”
Seniors Justin Hill, Jabri Abdur-Rahim, Matthew-Alexander Moncrieffe and Frank Anselem are the solely returners on a roster that features 5 transfers and 4 freshmen.
BONDING IN ITALY
The largely new roster took a summer time journey to Italy in July, offering additional time for observe and bonding.
“I think it was really important,” Hill stated. “We only have four guys who stayed, so it’s basically a brand new team. Just learning people’s tendencies, I think it was good to get it going early.”
White stated the journey supplied the Bulldogs an early begin on preparation for the season.
“The extra hours the NCAA gave us we took advantage of, we did a lot of installing this summer,” White stated.
BIG MAN ON CAMPUS
White stated South Florida switch middle Russel Tchewa (7-0, 265) “is going to impact our program greatly and immediately.”
“He takes up space, right?” White stated.
MOVING UP
Georgia made a giant enchancment from 2021-22, when it completed 6-26 general and 1-17 in the SEC, setting a document for many losses and worst convention end in its remaining season with coach Tom Crean. The 10-win enchancment was the program’s largest since enhancing from 5-14 in 1946-47 to 18-10 the following season.
YOUNG LEADER
On Monday, White described freshman Silas Demary, Jr., a 6-foot-5 guard from Raleigh, North Carolina, as “a freshman going on 30.”
“He’s just got some maturity. He’s got some leadership skills. He’s very poised as a freshman.”
Demary stated the completely different abilities of the freshman class provides to the depth of the group. “I feel like we’re definitely going to be able to make a change here,” he stated.
EARLY SCHEDULE CHALLENGE
Georgia opens its common-season schedule at Oregon on Nov. 6. The Bulldogs will play a troublesome residence opener towards Wake Forest on Nov. 10 and now have video games towards Atlantic Coast Conference groups Miami on Nov. 17 in the Bahamas and at Florida State on Nov. 29 in the SEC-ACC Challenge.
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(This story has not been edited by News18 workers and is revealed from a syndicated information company feed – Associated Press)
