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Georgia fans storm the court after thrilling upset win over No. 3 Florida
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Georgia fans are used to partying after big-time football victories, especially in recent seasons when the Bulldogs have brought home big regular-season wins, SEC titles and even a few national titles.
But memorable basketball victories in Athens are somewhat like lunar eclipses. Well, on Tuesday night, with No. 3 Florida visiting, there was an eclipse … or, rather a huge victory for the Bulldogs men’s basketball team.
And after Georgia held off a furious second-half rally by Florida for an 88-83 victory, it was indeed party time for the fans at Stegeman Coliseum, who predictably rushed the floor in celebration of a victory that could end up getting the Bulldogs into the NCAA Tournament.
Georgia was very much living on the bubble going into Tuesday night, and it’s not like the upset of the Gators suddenly solves the Bulldogs’ NCAA problems. Even with the win, Mike White’s team is still just 17-11 overall and only 5-10 in the rough-and-tumble SEC.
In fact, Georgia might still have to win out in the regular season just to give itself a chance in the SEC Tournament to play for a spot in the NCAA Tournament. There are 3 games left now for the Dawgs, who finish at Texas, at South Carolina and back at home against Vanderbilt.
While storming the court often comes with a fine from the SEC to be paid to an opposing school, UGA fans waited until the Gators were off the floor and avoided violating conference policy.
For one wonderful night in late February, it was all celebratory in Athens, as the Bulldogs basketball team was the center of attention in Georgia athletics for a change.
They can worry about the NCAA Tournament going forward.
Cory Nightingale, a former sportswriter and sports editor at the Miami Herald and Palm Beach Post, is a South Florida-based freelance writer who covers Alabama for SaturdayDownSouth.com.
