Texas Longhorns vs Georgia Bulldogs Picks and Predictions March 1st 2025

Georgia vs. Texas: A Must-Win Battle for NCAA Tournament Survival

With the NCAA Tournament fast approaching, Georgia and Texas find themselves in a high-stakes battle to keep their postseason hopes alive. Both teams are squarely on the bubble, making Saturday’s Southeastern Conference (SEC) showdown in Austin, Texas a crucial opportunity to impress the NCAA selection committee. With only eight days remaining in the regular season, every win matters—especially for teams teetering on the edge of March Madness contention.

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Georgia’s Momentum Boost: Can the Bulldogs Keep Rolling?

The Georgia Bulldogs (17-11, 5-10 SEC) enter this matchup riding the high of their biggest win of the season, an 88-83 upset over No. 3 Florida on Tuesday.

• Silas Demary Jr. led the charge with 21 points, knocking down four 3-pointers to fuel the Bulldogs’ offense.
• Asa Newell contributed 15 points and nine rebounds, providing a strong inside presence.
• Tyrin Lawrence added 14 points off the bench, giving Georgia much-needed depth.

The Bulldogs built a 26-point lead against Florida, squandered it, but then closed the game with a 10-3 run to secure the win. The victory snapped a four-game losing streak and thrust Georgia back into NCAA Tournament consideration.

Georgia head coach Mike White remains laser-focused on the task at hand, downplaying tournament talk:

“I’m not worried about any of that. Honestly, I’m not trying to dodge it. I’d say the same thing to our team, to our staff. We’re not into making statements. If a statement was made, so be it.”

While White may not want to discuss bracketology, analysts suggest Georgia is still on the outside looking in. A road win at Texas would further boost its résumé.

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Texas’ Desperation Mode: Can the Longhorns Rebound?

Unlike Georgia, the Texas Longhorns (16-12, 5-10 SEC) are trending in the wrong direction. They are coming off a heartbreaking 86-81 overtime loss at Arkansas on Wednesday—a game where freshman sensation Tre Johnson put on an electrifying performance.

• Johnson scored 39 points, setting a career high and a Longhorns freshman record.
• Arthur Kaluma posted a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds.
• Kadin Shedrick added 12 points and eight boards, giving Texas a solid interior presence.

Despite these efforts, Texas has lost two straight games and five of its last six, causing its NCAA Tournament hopes to dwindle. With time running out, head coach Rodney Terry is looking to his star player to lead the way:

“(Johnson) is one of those guys that really just wants to win. He’s really attacked the season with the mindset that he really wanted to win at the highest level.”

While Johnson’s individual brilliance is undeniable, Texas needs to turn talent into wins. A victory over Georgia would provide a much-needed boost as the Longhorns fight to stay in the NCAA Tournament conversation.

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What’s at Stake? Breaking Down the NCAA Tournament Implications

Both teams share a 5-10 SEC record, meaning the loser of this game will likely fall out of serious tournament contention. Here’s where each team stands:

• A Georgia win would give the Bulldogs another quality road victory and keep them in the tournament discussion.
• A Texas win would snap their slump and keep their slim March Madness hopes alive.

Neither team can afford a loss. The margin for error is gone.

Head-to-Head History: Who Has the Edge?

Georgia and Texas have met 13 times, with the Bulldogs holding an 8-5 all-time advantage. Their last matchup was in 2019, a 98-88 Georgia victory. However, the teams haven’t played in Austin since 1998, making this a rare showdown in front of Texas’ home crowd.

While history slightly favors Georgia, Texas will have the home-court advantage this time.

Keys to the Game: Who Has the Edge?

Georgia’s Path to Victory

✅ Continue hot shooting – Demary Jr. and Newell must hit perimeter shots to open up driving lanes.
✅ Protect leads – Georgia let Florida back in the game; composure down the stretch is crucial.
✅ Defense on Johnson – Tre Johnson is Texas’ biggest weapon; slowing him down is a priority.

Texas’ Path to Victory

✅ Ride the hot hand – Johnson has been unstoppable, and Texas must play through him.
✅ Win the rebounding battle – Georgia is a strong rebounding team; limiting second chances is key.
✅ Home-court energy – The Longhorns need their fans to create a hostile environment.

Prediction: Who Will Win?

This game is as close to a toss-up as it gets. Georgia has momentum, but Texas has the home crowd and a superstar in Johnson.

🔹 If Georgia can carry its momentum from the Florida game and control the tempo, it has a strong shot at stealing a road win.
🔹 If Texas can get another big performance from Johnson and finally close out a tight game, they’ll stay alive in the tournament race.

Final Score Prediction: Georgia 77, Texas 74
Bulldogs stay in the NCAA Tournament mix, while Texas’ March Madness hopes take a major hit.

Final Thoughts: Win or Go Home

For Georgia and Texas, this game isn’t just another SEC matchup—it’s their season on the line. The winner keeps hope alive, while the loser faces an uphill battle to make the NCAA Tournament. Expect high intensity, desperate play, and a thrilling finish as two bubble teams fight for survival.

The stakes couldn’t be higher. Who will rise to the occasion?